Apple swoops on exclusive F1 US TV rights amid expansion into sports

Apple has swooped in to grab exclusive broadcast rights for Formula One in the US market, securing a lucrative five-year deal that is set to catapult the tech giant into the world of high-stakes motorsports. The agreement, reportedly worth $140m annually, marks a significant departure from Apple's relatively modest streaming service, which has seen limited success in competing with industry heavyweights like Netflix and Disney+.

The deal, which begins next year, will see Formula One become the latest addition to Apple TV's growing sports lineup, joining Major League Soccer and Friday Night Baseball. With this move, Apple is looking to tap into one of America's fastest-growing sports, following the success of its recent film adaptation, F1: The Movie, which raked in over $628m worldwide.

While details of the financial arrangement remain under wraps, insiders suggest that the cost will be a significant departure from what Walt Disney-owned ESPN has been paying for similar rights – a staggering $90m annually. The stakes are high for Apple, with live sports now becoming a key battleground in the streaming industry.

"We're thrilled to expand our relationship with Formula One and offer Apple TV subscribers in the US front row access to one of the most exciting and fastest-growing sports on the planet," declared Eddy Cue, senior vice-president of services at Apple. With select races and practice sessions set to be available for free in the Apple TV app, fans can look forward to a more affordable entry point into the world of Formula One.

The deal comes as Formula One continues its upward trajectory, with an impressive 90 million new fans flocking to the sport last year alone – a significant increase from previous years. China proved to be a hotspot for growth, with fan numbers rising by a staggering percentage after the sport's return to Shanghai following the pandemic. As Apple gears up to take on the best of the streaming game, this latest coup could prove to be a turning point in its efforts to establish itself as a major player in the world of sports broadcasting.

what's next? first they gonna make their own cars like Ferrari

Omg I'm low-key excited about this deal! I mean Apple is already killing it with their music and movies but adding F1 to the mix could be a game changer for them. The thought of having exclusive access to all those high-speed racing moments is giving me goosebumps Plus, $140m is no joke I think this is a solid move for them to try and rival Netflix and Disney+. Maybe we'll even see some original F1 content ? That would be lit

So they're really gonna broadcast F1 on their TV? I mean, that's kinda cool I guess. But have you seen how expensive those races are? Like, what if it just breaks even or loses money? And isn't this like a big risk for Apple? They already have music and movies, but now they're trying to get into sports... what if nobody watches? Still, I guess it's interesting to see tech companies try new things. But how much are these races gonna cost on the Apple TV app? Are we talkin' $10 a month or something crazy like $50?

omg I'm so hyped for this!!! apple is finally getting into the motorsports scene and it's gonna be lit! five years is a looong time but if they can pull off making F1 accessible to more people on apple tv then this could be huge! their deal with $140m annually is no joke, that's some serious cash . i'm also loving the fact that select races will be free in the app, that's a great way to get new fans in china being a hotspot for growth is awesome, now we just gotta see how they execute this

omg is apple really gonna make formula one available on their tv app for free ?? that's like a huge move they're making to get more fans into their service lol and 140m annually is insane how much money they must be throwing around for this deal idk if i'd want to watch formula one though its not really my thing but hey more power to apple for trying out new things

I'm not surprised they're going all out for F1 ! I mean, it's like they're saying "we've got our own streaming thingy" and now we need something that's actually cool . Five years is a long time, but if they can make it work without annoying their subscribers with too much ads , this could be the move to get them noticed. I'm all for sports on TV, especially if it's something like F1 where you really care about the outcome ...

idk why apple is doing this tho they're basically throwing $140m at formula one every year... thats like 10x what disney pays for esports lol what's next? are they gonna buy out nfl or something? i get it, f1 movie was a hit, but is that really the strategy here?

idk how they gonna make formula one not boring lol but seriously, $140m annually is crazy for just 1 sport... what's next? they gonna buy the whole nfl or sumthn

The savvy business move by Apple is indeed noteworthy . Their investment in Formula One signals a strategic shift towards establishing a formidable presence in the realm of high-stakes motorsports. By securing exclusive broadcast rights, Apple is poised to capitalize on the lucrative US market and bolster its streaming service's credibility. The $140m annual fee, although substantial, might be seen as a worthwhile gamble considering the growing popularity of Formula One in the United States . With this deal, Apple TV subscribers will gain access to a thrilling and rapidly expanding sport, which could prove to be a significant draw for fans seeking authentic and high-quality sports content .

I'm not convinced that Apple is going to magically make Formula One interesting just because it's on their platform... I mean, have you seen some of those races? It's like watching paint dry! And $140m annually for this? That's a whole lotta cash being thrown down the drain if they can't even attract a decent number of viewers. I'm still waiting to see how this is going to pay off for them... and what about all those free races and practice sessions that are supposed to lure in new fans? Is it just a publicity stunt?

im surprised they're gonna make f1 games more accessible especially with them low priced free sessions in apple tv app... think it's a good move for fans and might boost their streaming service definitely not complaining about having more sports options on apple tv but I wonder what this says about the state of american streaming market right now, feels like everyone's jumping into high stakes gaming/sports space

I'm loving this move by Apple! I mean, who wouldn't want to watch F1 for $140m a year? It's like they're trying to crash the party and show everyone what they're made of . And let's be real, the numbers are insane – 90 million new fans last year? That's some serious growth right there! I'm curious to see how this is going to shake up the streaming game, but if anyone can pull it off, Apple's got the cash and the tech to make it happen . Bring on the racing excitement and exclusive access – I'm ready for F1 season 2025!

The acquisition of Formula One by Apple is a fascinating development . It's interesting to see how tech giants are rapidly expanding their portfolios into high-stakes media, particularly with regards to live sports . The financial arrangement is substantial, and it will be intriguing to see how this affects the streaming industry in the long run .

Apple's decision to make select races and practice sessions available for free in the Apple TV app is a savvy move, aiming to attract new fans to the platform . However, one has to wonder if this strategy will lead to an oversaturation of sports content on Apple TV, diluting its overall value proposition .

The success of F1: The Movie also suggests that there is a significant appetite for Formula One in America, which bodes well for Apple's move . Nevertheless, the stakes are high, and it remains to be seen how this will impact the future of live sports broadcasting .

I cant even imagine watching F1 on my old TV . Now with Apple's deal I might actually have to upgrade my TV or grab a bigger screen just to get the full experience . Apple's really stepping up its game with this F1 acquisition - gotta respect the move . It's crazy how much money they're willing to shell out for it tho... $140m annually is wild . But hey, if they can deliver on that end, I'm all in . Maybe we'll finally see some decent live coverage of F1 on TV . My cousin used to be a huge fan back in the day and now he's super into soccer - maybe this will bring him out of his shell again .

oh man, can you believe it? Apple is finally jumping into the high-stakes motorsports scene and I am SO here for it ! They're getting exclusive broadcast rights for Formula One and this deal is literally going to blow up their streaming service in a major way . $140m annually is insane, like what are they even doing with that kind of cash?

And let's be real, F1 is one of the most popular sports right now and Apple is smart to get on board early. With all these new deals and the success of their film adaptation, I think we're going to see a major shakeup in the streaming industry .

I'm not sure what's more exciting, getting exclusive access to F1 or being able to watch it for free on the Apple TV app . Either way, this is going to be BIG for Apple and I am loving every minute of it!

Apple's about to get a speed boost and we're all invited to the pit stop party ! $140m annually? That's a whole lotta petrol for a tech giant looking to rev up its streaming game . With F1 joining the Apple TV lineup, can they actually shift gears and leave Netflix in the dust? Only time will tell if this deal is the fuel that ignites their success or just another spin cycle

just saw this news and i gotta say, apple going into formula one is crazy they're putting their money where their mouth is literally 140m annually is insane for a streaming service that's been kinda struggling to make waves with netflix and disney+ what's next? apple taking over the nfl or something?

I wonder how they're gonna make F1 look more accessible to regular people ... I mean, $140m is crazy, like what's Apple thinking? Will they make it free or just more expensive than Netflix & Disney+? How will this impact the other sports streaming services? Are we gonna see more teams and leagues go exclusive?

So I'm wondering if 140m annually is too much for Apple to spend on just one thing... they're already making bank from their other streaming services and devices, maybe this is more than they need? And what about the quality of the broadcasts? Will it be like watching a game in person or just some watered down version? Also, I'm not sure how big F1 is for Americans vs. elsewhere... will Apple's marketing magic make a huge difference?