Apple is on the verge of securing the exclusive US streaming rights for Formula 1, with a blockbuster bid of at least $150 million per year, according to multiple industry sources. The deal, set to begin in 2026, would see Apple outbid current rights holder ESPN and mark the tech giant’s most significant foray yet into live sports broadcasting.
Apple’s offer, which exceeds $150 million annually, dwarfs ESPN’s current contract—valued between $75 million and $90 million per year—and the network’s latest proposal, which reportedly fell short of Apple’s figure. With ESPN unlikely to match the bid, industry insiders expect Apple to clinch the deal barring any last-minute surprises.
This move follows the massive box office success of Apple’s “F1: The Movie,” starring Brad Pitt, which grossed over $300 million globally and further cemented Apple’s relationship with the sport. The company already holds streaming rights for Major League Soccer and select Major League Baseball games, but Formula 1 would be Apple’s highest-profile sports acquisition to date.
Formula 1’s US audience has grown dramatically in recent years, driven by Netflix’s “Drive to Survive” docuseries and increased interest in American-based races. Average viewership per race has climbed to about 1.2–1.3 million, more than double the figures from 2018. The surging popularity has prompted F1’s parent company, Liberty Media, to seek a rights deal in the $150–$180 million range annually.
Apple is expected to make F1 races available exclusively on its streaming platform, Apple TV+, starting with the 2026 season. With Apple’s track record in digital innovation and its recent collaboration with F1 on the Brad Pitt movie, fans can expect new broadcast features, interactive content, and potentially original programming around the sport.
ESPN, which has broadcast F1 in the US since 2018, will retain rights through the end of the 2025 season. The switch to Apple marks a major shift from traditional TV to streaming for one of the world’s fastest-growing sports.
Apple’s aggressive bid reflects the escalating battle among streaming giants for live sports rights, a key driver of subscriber growth and advertising revenue in the digital age. The move could also set a precedent for other major sports properties as they negotiate future US broadcast deals.
While neither Apple nor Liberty Media has officially commented, the consensus is that Apple’s financial muscle and recent entertainment success make it the clear frontrunner. ESPN’s decision not to counter the offer signals a new era for sports media, where tech companies are increasingly dictating terms.