AUSTIN, Texas — After months of rumors swirling about the next holder of Formula One’s television rights in the United States, it was confirmed Friday morning of the 2025 U.S. Grand Prix weekend that Apple will become the sport’s exclusive broadcast partner from 2026.
It’s a five-year deal, and it comes after the global success of the F1 movie, which has grossed nearly $630 million worldwide. The film was co-produced by Apple Studios.
The partnership with Apple marks a departure from F1’s previous approach to its U.S. TV rights. Traditional broadcast companies have long held the rights. Going back to 2001, Fox aired the series via its Speed network through 2012. Then NBC took over from 2013 to 2017, reportedly only paying $4 million a year to broadcast F1.
ESPN has held the U.S. rights since 2018. But when the sports media conglomerate’s exclusive negotiating period over an extension to the current arrangement expired early in 2025, other potential broadcasters, including Netflix, began circling.
ESPN remained in the mix, according to sources speaking on condition of anonymity to The Athletic. However, its offer was in the $90 million per year range, which was no larger than what it was already paying F1, while Apple’s is in the $120 million to $150 million per year range.
This new deal is a comprehensive package. Not only will Apple TV host all track sessions throughout the F1 season, but the technology company also plans to “amplify the sport across Apple News, Apple Maps, Apple Music, Apple Sports, and Apple Fitness+,” according to an F1 statement.
F1 TV Premium will continue to air in the U.S.; however, it’ll only be available through the Apple TV subscription (and will be free to those subscribers).
There are still many questions left unanswered, such as details around production plans and on-air coverage crews. We’re only 142 days away from the start of the 2026 Australian GP weekend.
While the broadcasting details remain to be finalized, Apple’s confidence in F1’s commercial appeal was clearly bolstered by another recent success story. Not so long ago, questions were swirling about the prospects of the F1 movie, which starred Brad Pitt and Damson Idris. According to an F1 statement, the near $630 million intake makes the movie “the most successful sports movie in history.” “Cars 2” previously held that spot, according to Front Office Sports in July, which grossed $559.9 million worldwide. At that time, ‘F1: The Movie’ sat at $509.7 million globally.
This success played a key role in subsequent negotiations over the 2026 U.S. TV rights, where Apple’s significantly higher offer ultimately won out over the incumbent.
In a statement issued after the news of Apple’s deal was revealed, ESPN said it was “incredibly proud of what we and Formula 1 accomplished together in the United States and look forward to a strong finish in this final season. We wish F1 well in the future.”
A massive change for F1 in the United States
Analysis by Luke Smith, Senior Writer, F1
F1’s decision to ditch its traditional linear broadcasting partner in the U.S. and move to a streaming giant such as Apple represents a major philosophy shift.
Although the deal is only for the rights to broadcast F1 in the United States, the sport’s recent surge in popularity in America has been at the heart of its growth in recent years. This makes this arguably the most significant TV deal since Liberty Media’s takeover as F1’s commercial rights holder in 2017.
F1 viewership has more than doubled in the U.S. in its time being broadcast on ESPN — from an average of 554,000 viewers per race in ESPN’s first season in 2018 to 1.2 million in 2022. The 2025 campaign is on course to set a new record at 1.4 million.
F1 TV crews are gearing up to show the 2025 U.S. GP at Austin this weekend. (Ronaldo Schemidt / AFP/Getty Images)
But the sport’s leadership is confident that Apple, along with its greater financial offer, will also provide more opportunities for growth to reach even more sports fans across the U.S.
Integration into Apple’s wide range of products and services was a significant factor in F1’s decision to make the switch. CEO Stefano Domenicali told reporters on Thursday that F1’s aim with Apple was to be “part of the culture” in the U.S. He believes this move can help it gain more popularity and compete with mainstream American sports.
It will nevertheless serve as a big test for how F1 reaches its growing and shifting audience, having attracted more young and female fans over the past five years. With this deal, it is banking on extending that growth via new avenues that the sport’s bosses believe only a company of Apple’s reach and magnitude can offer.
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