Apple TV Lands Exclusive U.S. F1 Rights Starting 2026—Streaming Revolution Begins

Starting in 2026, Apple TV will have the exclusive rights to cover Formula 1 in the US, which is a deal that will span several years. That means that instead of people tuning in to watch the races in traditional broadcasts, they will now need to use Apple TV. So, how was this powerhouse able to clinch this impressive deal?

Apple TV is just one of the many services that Apple has to offer. After all, it has several networks, including:

-       Apple News.

-       Apple Maps.

-       Apple Music.

-       Apple Sports.

-       Apple Fitness, etc.

These and other networks will allow F1 to broaden its reach. For example, Apple Maps can offer guides to the Grand Prix locations while Apple Sports can offer fans real-time updates about the races. As such, while F1 may be partnering with Apple TV, this partnership gives it access to these other networks, which are used by hundreds of millions of iPhone users in the US.

This exclusive coverage deal is not Apple’s first stint with F1. If anything, it is the continuation of what has been a successful collaboration between these two industries. Take ‘F1 The Movie’ as an example, which was an Apple Originals film. This movie, which featured authentic fan experiences, did so well that it currently ranks as one of the highest-grossing sports movies. So, it makes sense that F1 would turn to a partner whom they knew had what it took to not only drum up interest in the races but also ensure that the coverage was of the high-quality that F1 fans have become accustomed to over the decades.

Did you know that the growing F1 fanbase is mainly made up of young women aged 18 to 24? That’s right. F1, which already boasts a huge fanbase across other age groups, hopes to capitalize on this growing interest by making its races more accessible to them. As it turns out, this fanbase falls smack into what Apple considers its strategic customer base. After all, iPhones appeal to women in this age bracket as they offer premium features that allow them to work, connect with others, and even make memories right at the tap of a button. So, with F1 partnering with the manufacturer of these phones, it gets one step closer to its target market.

This strategic deal between F1 and Apple cost the latter a pretty penny. So, why was Apple willing to pay a premium for these exclusive rights? Well, because it will be able to charge a subscription fee to people who are not Apple TV subscribers, which creates a source of revenue. And for F1, this will also be financially beneficial, with sources saying that this move will allow it to generate a higher income than it did with its previous ESPN deal. 

Apple’s move means that F1 races will no longer be available on cable and broadcast TV, save for the free races that it may offer. Thus, many fans will have to subscribe to catch all the races. On the plus side, since Apple is a leader when it comes to unparalleled user experience and technology, fans could have the rare treat of high-quality streams that traditional TV cannot