Kristina Roberts
Apple has made a huge move in the world of sports entertainment by signing a five-year deal to stream Formula 1 races in the United States. This partnership will begin next year and will allow Apple to bring the excitement, speed, and glamour of F1 directly to American homes through its Apple TV platform. The agreement represents an important step for the tech giant as it continues to expand its presence in the streaming market. Formula 1, known for its high-speed drama and global fan base, is one of the fastest-growing sports in the U.S., and this deal could help Apple attract a new audience of sports lovers.
While the exact financial details of the deal were not officially shared, reports suggest that Apple is paying around $140 million per year for the rights. This is a significant jump compared to the $90 million per season that ESPN, owned by Walt Disney, had been paying since 2018. The large investment shows how serious Apple is about strengthening its streaming service and how valuable F1 has become as a global entertainment brand.
The deal is also timely, coming right after the success of Apple’s film “F1: The Movie”, starring Brad Pitt. The movie has already earned over $628 million worldwide and has created even more buzz around Formula 1. With the movie’s streaming debut set for December 12 on Apple TV, this partnership feels like a natural next step. Apple is cleverly using the excitement from its movie to promote its new sports venture.
Eddy Cue, Apple’s Senior Vice President of Services, expressed his excitement about the partnership, saying, “We’re thrilled to expand our relationship with Formula 1 and offer Apple TV subscribers in the U.S. front row access to one of the most exciting and fastest-growing sports on the planet.” His statement reflects Apple’s strong belief that live sports can bring people closer to its platform, keeping audiences engaged and entertained.
Under this new deal, Apple TV will not only stream all the Grand Prix races but also the practice sessions, qualifying rounds, and Sprint races. Fans will have complete access to every stage of the championship. In addition, some selected races and all practice sessions will be made available for free through the Apple TV app, allowing even more people to experience the thrill of Formula 1 without needing a paid subscription. This move could help Apple attract first-time viewers and turn them into long-term fans.
For Formula 1, this partnership is another sign of how the sport is expanding beyond traditional television. Over the last few years, F1’s popularity has skyrocketed in countries like the United States, thanks in part to social media, Netflix’s documentary series “Drive to Survive”, and exciting new rivalries on the track. According to data from Nielsen Sports, the sport added nearly 90 million new fans last year alone. China showed the biggest growth in viewership, especially after F1 returned to Shanghai following the pandemic. This global interest makes F1 one of the most attractive properties for streaming platforms around the world.
Apple’s entry into sports broadcasting is not entirely new. The company already holds streaming rights for Major League Soccer (MLS) and “Friday Night Baseball”. However, F1 represents a much bigger and more global opportunity. Sports content has become one of the main ways streaming companies attract new users. Live sports bring dedicated fans who watch every week, keeping them subscribed for longer and generating advertising revenue. This is why many streaming services, including Netflix and Amazon Prime, have been trying to enter the sports broadcasting space.
Apple TV has already gained attention in Hollywood and entertainment circles, having won 22 Emmy Awards this year for its original shows and movies. But despite its critical success, it still trails behind bigger competitors like Netflix and Disney+ in terms of audience numbers. By adding F1 to its lineup, Apple is hoping to bridge that gap and make its platform more appealing to a wider audience, especially sports fans who crave live, high-energy content.
The partnership also shows Apple’s long-term vision for its streaming business. While many tech companies have focused mainly on movies and series, Apple sees the future of entertainment as a mix of live sports, films, and original content. F1’s global popularity makes it a perfect match for Apple’s strategy. It offers a mix of competition, technology, glamour, and storytelling—everything that fits Apple’s sleek, premium image.
For Formula 1, this deal offers not just money but also a chance to reach new audiences through one of the world’s most recognized brands. F1 has always been about innovation and pushing boundaries, and partnering with a tech leader like Apple feels like a natural fit. The sport has been trying to capture younger fans through digital platforms, and Apple’s strong presence in the technology world could help make that goal a reality.
The collaboration could also bring new features and technology to how fans experience the sport. Apple is known for its innovation, and many expect the company to add interactive tools or special camera angles for F1 viewers. This could change how audiences watch and engage with live races, making them feel more involved in the action than ever before.
In the end, this deal is not just about broadcasting rights—it’s about the merging of technology, entertainment, and sports. It shows how streaming platforms are reshaping how we watch live events and how tech companies like Apple are investing heavily in building the future of entertainment.
As F1 fans gear up for another thrilling season of racing, this new partnership promises to bring them closer to the track, the teams, and the adrenaline-pumping moments that define the sport. And for Apple, it’s another bold step toward transforming its streaming service into a true global entertainment powerhouse.
