Apple Leads Race to Secure U.S. F1 Streaming Rights With $150M Bid [Report]

Apple's big bet on Formula 1 may not end with its Brad Pitt movie. The company is now reportedly the leading bidder for the U.S. rights to stream F1 races, a move that would add the popular racing series to its growing sports lineup on Apple TV+.

According to a new Business Insider report, Apple has submitted a bid worth at least $150 million a year for the rights, which are currently held by Disney's ESPN. The new deal would reportedly begin in 2026. A source familiar with the negotiations said ESPN is not expected to match or beat that offer. The Financial Times had previously reported on Apple's interest.

This would mark a significant expansion of Apple's live sports offerings, which already include a deal with Major League Baseball for "Friday Night Baseball" and a larger, exclusive deal with Major League Soccer.


The timing coincides with the theatrical run of Apple's "F1," a film that has become the company's highest-grossing movie to date. In a recent interview, Apple CEO Tim Cook said the film hit on all the right notes, and noted the company used custom iPhone camera rigs to capture authentic racing footage. The movie is seen as a key part of an effort by F1 owner Liberty Media to boost the sport's value in the U.S.

Formula 1 viewership has grown significantly in the U.S., with ESPN reporting an average of 1.3 million viewers per race—more than double its 2018 numbers. The network's current deal is reportedly worth around $85 million a year. Netflix, which helped fuel F1's growth with its "Drive to Survive" docuseries, reportedly did not bid aggressively this time.

Apple and ESPN declined to comment on the report.

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