Farewell ESPN: F1 Will Be Exclusively on Apple TV Next Year
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An exclusive broadcasting agreement between Formula 1 and Apple has been finalized, which means all on-track events will be available exclusively on Apple TV starting in 2026. This five-year partnership follows the release of F1 The Movie, an Apple Original Film, and represents a significant shift as it moves every free practice session, qualifying, sprint race, and Grand Prix from ESPN to a single paid streaming platform.
According to F1's press release, this deal is quite extensive. Apple TV will become the exclusive viewing platform for F1 in the United States, and the sport will be promoted through various Apple services, including Apple News, Apple Maps, Apple Music, Apple Sports, and Apple Fitness+. Only time will tell if Alonso’s voice will be an option for Siri (just kidding).
Apple has spent three years developing F1 The Movie, which has grossed nearly $630 million globally, making it the most commercially successful sports film of all time. F1 and Apple view this as evidence that their collaboration will attract new fans worldwide, particularly in the U.S.
The 2025 Global F1 Fan Survey indicates that 47% of new F1 fans in the U.S. are aged 18 to 24, with more than half identifying as female. This marks a significant change in F1's audience demographics compared to previous years.
The press release states that some races and all free practice sessions will be freely accessible on the Apple TV app without a subscription. However, to enjoy complete access, a payment will be required. Detailed pricing will be revealed in the coming months, and it remains uncertain whether F1 fans will need to pay more than the regular $12.99 monthly fee for Apple TV. Regardless of the final cost, F1 TV Premium will be included, enabling viewers to access onboard cameras and live timing alongside the main race broadcast.
Since 2018, ESPN has been the U.S. broadcaster for F1. In response to the news, a representative from ESPN remarked, “We’re incredibly proud of what we and Formula 1 accomplished together in the United States and look forward to a strong finish in this final season. We wish F1 well in the future.”
It seems you'll need to subscribe to another streaming service if you want to follow F1 over the next five years, especially if you're already a fan of Severance.
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Farewell ESPN: F1 Will Be Exclusively on Apple TV Next Year
F1 is transitioning to the Apple TV streaming service as its exclusive broadcasting platform in the United States through a five-year agreement.