Apple Eyes Formula 1 U.S. Broadcasting Rights
In a strategic move following the success of the film F1, Apple Inc. is reportedly pursuing the commercial broadcasting rights for Formula 1 in the United States, as detailed in a recent Financial Times report. This comes as the current agreement between Formula 1 and ESPN is set to expire at the end of the 2025 season.
With ESPN, a subsidiary of Disney, having lost their exclusive negotiation window, Formula 1 is actively soliciting bids from potential competitors. Apple’s foray into sports streaming is not unprecedented; the company previously secured rights for both Major League Baseball and Major League Soccer. The breakout success of F1, which grossed over $293 million globally, is purportedly fueling Apple’s interest in the racing series.
Apple CEO Tim Cook emphasized the film’s authentic portrayal of the sport, stating, “To bring something to life that would be authentic to the sport, that would tell a great story as well about the ups and downs of life — ‘F1’ hit on all the things.”
In addition to Apple, ESPN remains a key player in the bidding process. Netflix is also expected to contend for the rights, leveraging the popularity of its docuseries Drive to Survive, which significantly heightened interest in Formula 1 in the U.S. market.
As the landscape of sports broadcasting evolves, this potential acquisition by Apple could redefine fan engagement and content delivery within the motorsports arena.
