F1 races to air exclusively on Apple TV next year

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Starting next year, you’ll need an Apple TV subscription to watch Formula 1 races. Apple and Formula 1 just announced a five-year agreement making Apple TV the exclusive home for F1.

Apple TV subscribers in the U.S. can now watch all Formula 1 sessions – including practice, qualifying, the Sprint race, and the main Grand Prix – plus enjoy everything offered in F1 TV Premium, Formula 1’s official streaming service.

You can watch some races and practice sessions for free on the Apple TV app. The Apple Sports app will also provide live updates during each Grand Prix, such as up-to-the-minute leaderboards.

Apple is excited about the changes coming to Formula 1 in 2026, including new teams, updated rules, and cutting-edge cars driven by top racers. According to Eddy Cue, Apple’s head of services, they plan to provide fans with unique and innovative coverage that leverages Apple’s strengths.

Hollywood Inc.

Apple’s high-profile racing drama, ‘F1,’ featuring Brad Pitt, was intended to be the company’s first major success at the box office.

Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali believes a new partnership will help the sport grow even more popular in the United States. The company previously collaborated with Apple on the Brad Pitt film, “F1 The Movie,” which became Apple’s first successful theatrical release last summer.

According to a statement by Domenicali, the goal is to grow the sport’s popularity in the U.S. by attracting existing fans and reaching new ones with live events, compelling content, and consistent year-round coverage.

Apple is paying around $140 million annually for the rights to broadcast the races, according to a source with knowledge of the deal who wasn’t permitted to be named. These races have been shown on ESPN since 2018, but that agreement ends this year. ESPN currently pays an average of $85 million per year for the broadcast rights. CNBC first reported these financial details.

Apple and Formula 1 haven’t yet responded to requests for comment, and ESPN wouldn’t disclose the financial details of the agreement.

ESPN expressed its pride in its partnership with Formula 1 in the United States and is excited to see out the final season strongly. They also wished Formula 1 continued success going forward.

Hollywood Inc.

As a streaming fan, I’m really interested in this new deal! Apple and NBCUniversal are teaming up to offer both Peacock and Apple TV+ together. It’s pretty cool to see competitors working together like this to give us more options.

More and more streaming services are showing live sports to draw larger audiences during big events. Besides Formula 1 racing, Apple now has agreements to stream Major League Baseball and Major League Soccer games.

Apple recently partnered with NBCUniversal to offer Apple TV bundled with their streaming service, Peacock.

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2025-10-17 20:01