Overview

• Apple is conducting active negotiations with Liberty Media to secure exclusive U.S. Formula 1 streaming rights for the 2026 season.
• The discussions position Apple TV+ against ESPN, which currently pays $85 million annually and will not renew rights beyond 2025.
• Industry analysts project the next U.S. F1 contract could exceed $121 million per year as new bidders join the race.
• U.S. Formula 1 viewership rose from an average of 554,000 in 2023 to about 1.1 million in 2024 and 1.3 million during the first 10 races of 2025.
• Apple expanded into live sports streaming in 2022 with Major League Baseball and Major League Soccer on Apple TV+.