F1 TV has experienced notable expansion over the years. As of last year, its F1 TV Pro tier, which includes live race access, was accessible in 92 territories, with the United States being its largest market. The F1 app was recognized as Apple TV’s App of the Year in 2024, and the association introduced a more expensive premium tier this year.The popularity of F1 TV was evident on Reddit, where users on the Formula 1 forum actively discussed the potential implications of a new media partnership for the service, with discussions frequently enough including strong language.
F1 TV has also proven to be a valuable asset in media negotiations. In 2023, F1 TV Pro was launched in India after local broadcasters submitted bids for exclusive rights that were deemed insufficient by F1 executives. As one executive noted in 2023, “People spent all their money on cricket.” F1’s affluent fanbase provides it with greater flexibility to directly capitalize on viewer enthusiasm.
According to one source,this allows F1 to “afford to not do bad deals in markets that they deem vital for growth.” The source elaborated that if F1 doesn’t secure favorable offers in key markets like Brazil or Singapore, they have the option to launch or expand F1 TV in those regions.
The future of F1 TV was a significant consideration as American companies expressed interest in acquiring F1’s media rights in recent months. Liberty Media president and CEO Derek Chang stated in a May call with Wall Street analysts that the company would evaluate partner proposals and determine the most beneficial course of action for F1.
Apple’s reported offer of approximately $150 million annually for F1’s U.S. rights, commencing in 2026, would represent a $60 million increase compared to ESPN’s current payment. Midway through the 2025 season, ESPN has been averaging 1.3 million viewers per race,a 7% increase over the season-to-date average from 2024. Though, Apple’s plans for distributing its racing coverage remain unclear.
Representatives for both Apple and F1 declined to comment on the ongoing negotiations.
While initial reports suggested that F1 content might be included in the $10/month Apple TV+ subscription, Apple adopted a different strategy with its MLS coverage. For MLS, Apple introduced a $99/year offering that included all games, whiparound coverage, and additional content, with discounts available for Apple TV+ subscribers and some games accessible directly to those customers.
A similar approach for F1 could involve integrating many of the streams and features currently offered by F1 TV into a new Apple-backed service, possibly expanding upon them.
Alternatively, F1 TV could continue as a standalone product with adjustments to its pricing and feature set. For example, the app could be offered for free to subscribers of Apple’s service, mirroring the arrangement with Sky Germany. Another possibility is that F1 might restrict F1 TV’s content library to archival material or focus exclusively on its premium tier, providing specialized feeds for the sport’s most dedicated fans. Regardless of the chosen path, a partnership with Apple signifies a move into new territory.
