Apple secures exclusive Formula 1 broadcasting rights in the US by outbidding Netflix and other streamers, marking a major shift in how American fans will watch the high-speed sport starting in 2026. This five-year deal positions Apple TV as the go-to platform for all F1 races, practices, and exclusive content, capitalizing on the sport’s surging popularity amid a blockbuster movie release and broader streaming wars over sports. The announcement highlights Apple’s growing footprint in live sports, following its success with MLS soccer.
Here’s the TL;DR…
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Apple’s Big Win Over Netflix: Apple clinched a five-year exclusive US broadcasting deal for Formula 1 worth around $140 million annually, edging out Netflix and NBC in a heated bidding war.
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Upcoming F1 Movie Boost: The Brad Pitt-led film F1 shattered records as the highest-grossing sports movie ever, set to stream on Apple TV this December—fueling interest in the sport.
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Youth Appeal on the Rise: Formula 1’s US fanbase has grown to 52 million, with nearly half aged 18–24 and over 50% female, largely thanks to Netflix’s Drive to Survive.
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Streaming’s Sports Takeover: Streamers like Apple, Amazon, and Netflix are aggressively buying major sports rights, reshaping how fans watch live events.
How Did Apple Beat Netflix to Secure F1 Rights in the US?
Apple’s bold bid reportedly overwhelmed F1 executives, offering $140 million per year—outpacing Netflix, NBC, and ESPN’s renewal attempts. The move cements Apple’s strategy to expand beyond entertainment into premium live sports.
Negotiations heated up as ESPN’s deal neared expiration in late 2025. Apple’s pitch included deep integration across its ecosystem—Apple News, Fitness+, and Apple Music—creating a unified F1 experience that other streamers couldn’t match. Netflix, despite driving the sport’s popularity, couldn’t compete with Apple’s bundled infrastructure and global device reach.
What Are the Key Details of Apple’s Five-Year F1 Partnership?
Starting in 2026, all 24 F1 races, qualifying rounds, sprints, and practices will stream exclusively on Apple TV+. Select sessions will remain free to watch via the Apple TV app, ensuring accessibility while enticing subscribers.
Apple will bundle F1 TV Premium—the sport’s dedicated streaming service—free for Apple TV+ members. Features include real-time telemetry, interactive leaderboards via the Apple Sports app, and Lock Screen widgets for live stats.
To boost engagement, Apple is integrating F1 themes across its ecosystem: curated playlists on Apple Music, Fitness+ workouts inspired by drivers’ regimens, and possibly AR-enhanced race views on Vision Pro.
Why Is the New F1 Movie Driving So Much Hype for the Sport?
The film F1, starring Brad Pitt as veteran racer Sonny Hayes, premiered in June 2025, raking in $629 million globally—the highest-grossing sports movie ever. Directed by Joseph Kosinski (Top Gun: Maverick) and produced by Lewis Hamilton, the film dramatizes a fictional team’s battle for glory amid F1’s modern era.
It streams exclusively on Apple TV beginning December 12, 2025, conveniently fueling hype before Apple’s 2026 broadcast debut. Critics praised its realism, achieved through filming during actual F1 races using modified cars. Pitt’s performance earned acclaim, with Damson Idris, Javier Bardem, and Kerry Condon rounding out a star-studded cast.
The crossover between Apple’s film and broadcast divisions is strategic—linking cinematic storytelling with real-world racing coverage to attract both new fans and seasoned viewers.
How Has Formula 1’s Popularity Surged Among Younger Fans?
Formula 1’s American fanbase has skyrocketed to 52 million, according to a 2025 Motorsport Network survey. Nearly half of new fans are 18–24 years old, and women now make up over half of recent additions.
Netflix’s Drive to Survive ignited this boom by turning F1’s behind-the-scenes drama into binge-worthy entertainment. The docuseries humanized drivers like Max Verstappen and Lando Norris, turning them into cultural icons beyond the sport. Attendance at US races—Miami, Austin, and Las Vegas—has soared since the series’ debut in 2019.
Social platforms like TikTok and Instagram amplify the effect, with highlights, memes, and strategy breakdowns making F1’s complex world accessible to casual fans. Sustainability messaging and diversity initiatives also resonate with younger audiences.
What Role Has Drive to Survive Played in F1’s Youth Boom?
Now in its seventh season, Drive to Survive remains a cultural touchstone for the sport, credited with adding millions of new fans. It sparked a 10% US audience rise between 2019 and 2022 alone. Nielsen data shows off-season spikes in viewership driven purely by the series’ buzz.
Are Streaming Services Taking Over Sports Broadcasting Rights?
Yes—tech giants are rewriting the sports media landscape.
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Amazon streams Thursday Night Football and secured NBA rights worth $1.8 billion annually starting 2025–26.
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Netflix entered the field with WWE Raw, NFL Christmas games, and live boxing matches.
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Apple already airs MLS Season Pass and Friday Night Baseball, spending over $2 billion on soccer coverage alone.
The F1 deal, valued at roughly $700 million total, adds prestige and exclusivity. Analysts say this arms race could push global sports rights spending past $12 billion by 2026, as streamers chase subscriber growth.
Fragmentation remains a pain point—fans juggle multiple apps—but bundled offers like Apple One may ease the load.
How Will Apple’s F1 Deal Change the Viewing Experience for Fans?
Viewers in the US will enjoy ad-free, high-definition streams across iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV, with seamless synchronization and zero regional blackouts. Free “preview weekends” will help onboard casual fans.
Apple’s ecosystem will deliver real-time race stats, 3D track visualizations, and possibly Vision Pro-compatible replays, giving users a cockpit-like experience.
The main challenge? Subscription fatigue. At $9.99/month for Apple TV+, cost-conscious fans may hesitate—though Apple One bundles could cushion that blow.
What Are the Broader Implications for Sports and Streaming?
Formula 1’s partnership with Apple underscores a seismic shift: sports leagues now prioritize global tech platforms over legacy broadcasters. With over 750 million fans worldwide, F1 aims to expand its US footprint via streaming accessibility and modern engagement tools.
For Netflix, missing the deal stings, but the streamer continues targeting short-term sports events instead of full seasons.
Apple’s integration of film, sports, and interactivity marks the next stage in entertainment—one where technology and athletic spectacle converge. Expect similar moves across other major leagues soon.
Hat Tips
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AppleInsider: Apple TV Seizes F1 Pole Position with Five-Year Streaming Rights Deal
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PCMag: Apple Bags Exclusive Formula 1 Broadcast Deal, Stream the Action in 2026
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The New York Times: F1 Must Now Navigate the Slipstream of Apple’s Media Empire
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US News: Apple Clinches Exclusive US Media Rights for F1 Races Under Five-Year Deal
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KTLA: Apple’s New Five-Year Deal with Formula 1: What It Means for US Fans
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Forbes: Formula 1 Now Sees 750 Million Fans Due to Growth with Women
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Boardroom: The Future of Sports Streaming: Who’s Winning the Rights Battle?
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Bloomberg: Apple, YouTube and Netflix Are Getting Serious About Live Sports
Article compiled and edited by Derek Gibbs on October 17, 2025, for Clownfish TV D/REZZED.
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