AUSTIN, Texas — In a groundbreaking announcement made Friday morning during the 2025 U.S. Grand Prix weekend, Formula One confirmed that Apple will become its exclusive broadcast partner in the U.S. starting in 2026, marking a significant shift in how the sport will be broadcast across the country.
The five-year partnership follows the phenomenal success of the recent F1 film, which has grossed nearly $630 million globally and was co-produced by Apple Studios. This deal not only highlights Apple’s commitment to sports broadcasting but also reflects F1’s evolving strategy to engage a wider audience in the U.S., where the sport has experienced tremendous growth.
Historically, F1’s broadcasting rights in the U.S. have been held by traditional networks. From 2001, Fox aired the series until 2012, followed by NBC from 2013 to 2017, and ESPN, which has maintained the rights since 2018. The transition to Apple marks a departure from these conventional arrangements. ESPN had the opportunity to negotiate an extension but reportedly offered around $90 million per year, matching its current rate, while Apple presented a more lucrative proposal ranging from $120 million to $150 million annually.
Under this new agreement, Apple will host all on-track sessions throughout the F1 season on Apple TV and will integrate F1 content across its platforms, including Apple News, Apple Maps, Apple Music, Apple Sports, and Apple Fitness+. While F1 TV Premium will still be available in the U.S., it will now be accessible exclusively through an Apple TV subscription, which will be complimentary for Apple TV subscribers.
Despite excitement surrounding the new deal, there are still key details awaiting finalization, including production plans and on-air talent. With only 142 days until the 2026 Australian Grand Prix, F1 is operating under a tight timeline to establish these elements.
Apple’s confidence in F1’s commercial viability has been buoyed by the recent triumph of the F1 film, which has now surpassed “Cars 2” as the highest-grossing sports film of all time. This financial success was a crucial driver in securing the stronger deal with Apple, which ultimately outbid ESPN.
Following the announcement of the new partnership, ESPN expressed pride in its accomplishments with Formula One, stating, “We are 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.”
This partnership signals a pivotal change as F1 shifts from traditional broadcasting methods to embrace the digital future. F1 has witnessed a remarkable increase in U.S. viewership, with average races drawing 1.2 million viewers in 2022, a significant rise from 554,000 when ESPN began airing the races in 2018. As the sport continues to attract a younger demographic, integrating with Apple’s extensive platform may provide new avenues to foster even greater engagement.
Formula One’s CEO Stefano Domenicali emphasized the importance of becoming “part of the culture” in the U.S. as F1 aims to expand its reach among the growing audience of fans, particularly among the younger and female demographics. This ambitious step forward highlights not only the sport’s growth potential but also its adaptability in a rapidly changing media landscape.