Apple Secures U.S. F1 Rights Through 2030

Apple has secured exclusive U.S. broadcasting rights for Formula 1 in a five-year deal beginning in 2026 that will put every practice, qualifying session, Sprint and Grand Prix on Apple TV through 2030, with select races and practices offered free. F1’s in-house content will be folded into the Apple TV app, and reports indicate F1 TV Premium will be accessible through an Apple subscription rather than provided at no extra cost. Estimates of the deal’s value vary—roughly $120–$160 million per year (about $750 million total over five years)—substantially higher than ESPN’s reported ~$90 million-per-year fee. Apple says it will promote F1 across its ecosystem (News, Maps, Music, Sports/Fitness+ and retail) and pointed to prior collaboration such as F1: The Movie. Some analysts warn the move carries risks, citing Apple TV’s limited live-sports track record and concerns about putting a major sport behind a single subscription.