Formula 1 and Apple TV announce a $140 million-per-season streaming deal
Formula 1 has officially found its new digital home. After months of negotiations, Apple TV and Formula 1 Management have confirmed a multi-year partnership starting in 2026, granting Apple the streaming rights for Grand Prix races in the United States. The agreement represents a major turning point for both the motorsport industry and the global sports media landscape.
The deal, estimated at $140 million per season, is one of the most significant contracts ever signed between a tech company and a sporting discipline. The announcement was made during the United States Grand Prix in Austin, confirming reports previously shared by sources close to both Cupertino and the Formula 1 organization.
Apple becomes Formula 1’s new main broadcaster
According to early reports, Apple will serve as the main broadcaster for Formula 1 in the United States, offering fans a next-generation viewing experience with interactive features such as multiview options, live statistics, and picture-in-picture streaming. Apple’s Senior Vice President of Services, Eddy Cue, recently emphasized the company’s focus on delivering “a smoother and more integrated experience” for users through these innovations.
Apple TV’s long-term vision for sports
The project fits into Apple’s broader strategy to reduce the fragmentation of sports broadcasting rights and to create a unified ecosystem for fans. “Once upon a time, a single subscription gave you access to everything — today, that’s no longer the case. We want to change that approach,” Eddy Cue explained in an earlier statement.
The agreement also marks Apple’s official entry into Formula 1, following the huge global success of its F1-themed feature film, produced by the tech giant and set inside the paddock. The film became “the highest-grossing sports movie of all time,” further cementing Apple’s growing influence in motorsport entertainment.
The future of F1.TV and global broadcasting
One major question remains around the future of F1.TV, Formula 1’s proprietary streaming platform, which may either be phased out or integrated into Apple’s content offering. Such a move would align perfectly with Apple’s vision of simplifying and centralizing sports content for a seamless user experience.
With this partnership, Formula 1 and Apple are opening a new era for streaming in the United States — turning Grand Prix races into an interactive, real-time digital experience rather than just a sporting event to watch. Fans will be able to engage with the sport like never before, from live data integration to multi-angle viewing options.
What changes for Italy
In Italy, however, no immediate changes are expected. Broadcasting rights will remain exclusively with Sky Sport and NOW until at least 2027. During the Monza Grand Prix, there were discussions between Formula 1 and the public broadcaster RAI about a potential return to free-to-air coverage, but according to reports, those negotiations ended without an agreement.
This landmark partnership between Apple and Formula 1 promises to redefine how fans experience the pinnacle of motorsport, merging cutting-edge technology with the thrill of live racing.
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