Apple secured US F1 TV rights in $750m deal

Apple and Formula 1 announced a five-year, U.S.-exclusive media deal starting with the 2026 season, replacing ESPN. Financial terms weren’t disclosed, but multiple top outlets peg Apple’s fee at about $140–$160 million per year, versus ESPN’s prior ~$85–$90 million per year (2023–2025). That implies a total consideration in the $700–$800 million range over five years and a step-up of roughly 60–85% versus ESPN’s average annual spend. Coverage will place all race-weekend sessions—practice, qualifying, sprints, and Grands Prix—inside Apple TV. 

Sports rights are the last must-pay bundle. Apple isn’t trying to outbid everyone forever; it’s buying a durable on-ramp to younger U.S. fans and high-frequency, appointment viewing that protects Services revenue. Even at $140–$160M/yr, the math can work: convert a modest slice of the U.S. F1 audience into recurring Apple TV subs and the rights fee amortizes across the broader ecosystem (originals, upsell to other Apple services). For F1, the reported price resets the U.S. benchmark just as Liberty Media leans into its three-race footprint (Austin, Miami, Las Vegas) and brand partnerships.

This closes a multi-year courtship and formalizes what Apple previewed with its paddock presence and F1 content projects. Strategically, it keeps Apple shoulder-to-shoulder with other tech platforms that already hold premium rights (Amazon’s NFL, Peacock’s Olympics/Premier League). Note the caveats: Apple and F1 have not publicly detailed pricing tiers, language options, or how F1 TV will coexist under Apple’s umbrella—expect specifics as 2026 testing approaches. The headline number remains reported, not disclosed, but the five-year term and 2026 start are confirmed in primary statements.

Apple didn’t just outbid a broadcaster; it reassembled the sports bundle inside an app. If subscriber conversion tracks even modestly, this becomes the template for how big-tech buys global sports: pay above cable economics, below lifetime-value economics, and keep the fan—and their payments—inside your garden. The next catalysts are product details and on-platform engagement once lights go out in 2026.