Apple, F1 reach 5-year media deal, bringing races to Apple TV streaming
(1) Dutchman Max Verstappen driving an Oracle Red Bull Racing RB20, (55) Spaniard Carlos Sainz driving a Ferrari SF-24 and (4) Great Britain’s Lando Norris driving a McLaren MCL38 Mercedes at the start of the Mexican F1 Grand Prix at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez He entered turn 1.
Peter Fox – Formula 1 | Formula 1 | Getty Images
Apple and Formula 1 announced a five-year media rights deal on Friday that will bring all F1 races to Apple TV starting in 2026.
Apple TV will cover everything Formula 1 events including practice, qualifying and Sprint sessions as part of the broadcaster’s current activity $12.99 per month Subscription that comes without ads. In the statement made by the companies, it was stated that certain F1 races and all training sessions will be offered free of charge on the Apple TV application throughout the season.
It’s a different structure than Apple’s partnership with Major League Soccer. Apple TV similarly has exclusive rights to every MLS game, but these rights cost extra. MLS Season Ticket.
Apple pays about $140 million a year for racing rights, according to sources familiar with the matter. Disney’s ESPN is the league’s official media partner and was paying an average of $85 million a year, according to people familiar with the deal, who asked that the details not be made public because they are confidential.
In a statement, representatives for ESPN said the network was “incredibly proud of what we and Formula 1 have accomplished together in the United States and looks forward to finishing this final season strong.” We wish F1 every success in the future.”
F1 TV Premium, the league’s own content popular with racing fans, will continue to be available in the US but will now require an Apple TV subscription. When a customer subscribes to Apple TV, F1 TV Premium will be included in the Apple subscription rather than a standalone offering.
F1 on Apple TV will feature commentary from F1 TV and Sky broadcast commentators.
Apple is moving into live sports, but only if it can get the rights to control the user experience, Senior Vice President of Services Eddy Cue told CNBC this week. In the statement made by the company, it was stated that Apple plans to announce additional production details and product improvements for F1 fans in the coming months.
“We don’t have to do the sport this way,” Cue said at Motorsport Network’s Autosport Business Exchange NYC. “There are plenty of people doing this, so the world doesn’t need us to do this. So our perspective is: If we can do something unique, then we’ll do it.”
The deal builds on Apple’s relationship with F1 following the release of “F1: The Movie,” starring Brad Pitt, which became the highest-grossing sports movie of all time at the box office this year, according to Cue.
“This is an incredibly exciting partnership for Apple and all of Formula 1, and will ensure we can continue to maximize our growth potential in the United States,” Stefano Domenicali, Formula 1’s president and CEO, said in a statement.
Disclosure: CNBC is a sponsor of the McLaren Formula 1 racing team.
