Overview

• Apple is in active negotiations with Liberty Media to secure exclusive U.S. streaming rights for the 2026 Formula 1 season
• ESPN’s exclusive renewal window has expired, and the network remains in the mix alongside other potential bidders such as Netflix
• Analysts project the next U.S. Formula 1 media deal will exceed $120 million annually, up from ESPN’s current $85 million-per-year agreement
• U.S. F1 viewership doubled in 2024 to about 1.1 million per race and has averaged 1.3 million through the first ten events of 2025
• Apple’s push builds on its Apple TV+ sports lineup and the $300 million global box-office success of “F1: The Movie”