The tech giant Apple is in active negotiations to secure the exclusive American TV rights for Formula 1, according to the Financial Times. This is happening against the backdrop of the great success of the Apple-produced cinema film “F1” starring Brad Pitt, which has contributed to increased interest in the sport.
Battle for rights
Disney-owned ESPN has had the American rights to Formula 1 since 2019, but their exclusive renewal negotiation period recently expired without an agreement. This opens the door for Apple to take over the rights starting in the 2026 season.
Read: Napoli mean business – fire off €50 million bid for underrated Premier League player
ESPN currently has a relatively cheap deal of around $75 million annually, but is expected to have to pay significantly more to keep the rights in the upcoming tender competition.
Read on Popidol: Is “Duster” coming back for season 2?
Apple’s sports strategy
This is part of Apple’s aggressive focus on live sports:
- Already, they have billion-dollar deals for Major League Soccer (MLS) and Major League Baseball (MLB)
- They also launched a separate streaming service for MLS matches
- The success of the Brad Pitt movie “F1” (which was partly filmed during real races) has shown Apple’s ability to promote the sport
What this means for fans
If Apple secures the rights, it could lead to:
- Formula 1 offers included in Apple TV+
- Opportunity for innovative productions with AR/VR technology
- Potentially higher subscription costs than the current ESPN deal
With Formula 1’s explosive growth in popularity in the US in recent years – driven by the Netflix series “Drive to Survive” and increased American participation with races in Miami, Las Vegas and Austin – the rights battle will be one of the most exciting media industry battles of the year.
Both Formula 1 boss Stefano Domenicali and Apple’s management have confirmed that discussions are ongoing about future media partnerships. A decision is expected by the end of 2024.
Liverpool’s gesture towards Diogo Jota’s family: Contract will be paid in full
