Formula 1 and Apple have closed a strong> exclusive broadcast agreement for five seasons in the United States, a move that reshapes the streaming landscape of sports. Starting in 2026, the competition will be broadcast entirely on Apple TV in the US market, with free access windows to expand its reach.
The agreement reinforces Cupertino's commitment to live broadcasting and places F1 as a cornerstone of its sports offering, along with MLS and MLB. The parties have not released official figures, but various reports place the value around $ 140 million per season, above the amounts handled with ESPN in recent years.
An agreement that redefines F1 broadcasting in the US.
From the start of the new era of the championship in 2026, Apple TV will offer the entire Grand Prix weekend live and on-demand for subscribers in the U.S. The change involves the departure of ESPN as the broadcaster of the event in that territory and consolidates the transition of sport towards OTT platforms.
In addition to the main signal, the agreement includes access options in Spanish and free content openings to encourage new followers to join the category.
- All the World Cup races
- Free practice sessions
- Classification
- Sprint Format
Access and prices: what's happening with F1 TV?
Apple TV maintains its rate 12,99 dollars per month in the US, and the service will be included in that subscription F1 TV Premium at no additional costIn practice, F1 TV will no longer operate as a standalone app in that market and will be integrated into Apple's environment.
The plan contemplates all free practice sessions free within the Apple TV app throughout the season, along with a selection of Grands Prix that can also be watched without paying, a clear way to engage those who don't yet follow the championship.
The Apple ecosystem at the service of the fan
The company plans to leverage its services to build a richer experience than just live streaming, with Apple Sports on iPhone providing live scores, rankings, and alerts during each session.
Coverage will be complemented by integrations in Apple News, Apple Maps, Apple Music and Apple Fitness+, as well as support for Live Activities and a dedicated widget to follow the Grand Prix in progress from the lock screen.
Innovation in broadcasting
Apple is studying features to enrich the visualization, such as real-time telemetry overlay, custom camera selection, and advanced statistics instantly accessible.
- Data overlay and comparisons by driver and car
- Multiple angles to choose from
- Itineraries, playlists, and thematic content from native apps
The stated ambition is to offer a more useful and participatory coverage, supported by the house hardware and software, and available on iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Mac, Apple Vision Pro, smart TVs, streaming devices, consoles and the web.
Context and growth of F1 in the US
The fan base in the United States has expanded significantly in recent years: the latest global survey indicates that 47% of new followers with less than five years in the sport are between 18 and 24 years old, and more than half are women.
The category has multiplied its digital presence (from 18,7 to more than 107,6 million of followers on social media since the acquisition by Liberty Media), supported by events such as Miami, Las Vegas and Austin, and by products that keep the conversation going all year long.
Cinema, marketing and a perfect window
The launch of F1: The Movie by Apple Studios has served as a promotional lever: the film has surpassed the 628 million dollars at the box office and its streaming release is scheduled for Apple TV, helping to sustain interest between Grand Prix.
Executives from both parties have stressed that the agreement aims to bringing sport to new audiences with live broadcasts, complementary content, and formats designed for mobile consumption.
Schedule, production and next steps
The announcement of the agreement took place during the weekend of the United States GP in Austin, coinciding with the arrival of new technical regulations in 2026 and changes to the grid that F1 anticipates for that season.
In the coming months will be offered production details, features and formats consumer, with the goal of making the Apple TV experience distinctive and consistent across all compatible devices.
The movement places Apple TV as a reference point for Formula 1 fans in the United States for the next five seasons, combining full coverage of every weekend, free windows to capture new audiences, and native integrations that aim to raise the bar for sports streaming.