Apple and F1: A New Era in Entertainment with Media Agreement

Apple and F1 Sign Five-Year Media Agreement

Apple Inc. (**AAPL**) and Formula 1 have taken a historic step that excites the motorsport world by signing a five-year media rights agreement. Starting in 2026, all Formula 1 races will be available to sports fans via Apple TV. This new collaboration will allow Formula 1 to engage more broadly with audiences.

Ad-Free Viewing Experience with Apple TV

According to the announcement, all F1 events, including practice, qualifying, and Sprint sessions, can be watched without ads with the existing $12.99 monthly subscription package for Apple TV. Additionally, certain F1 races and all practice sessions will be accessible for free via the Apple TV app throughout the season. This situation, combined with Apple’s current media strategy, marks a significant step in sports broadcasting.

Old Agreements and Innovations

This new agreement for Apple differs from a similar structure with the Major League Soccer partnership. Apple TV holds exclusive rights to MLS matches, where users need to pay an additional fee. The annual cost for the Formula 1 agreement is reported to be around $140 million, while the current media partner Disney's (**DIS**) ESPN channel pays an average of $85 million per year for the league’s media rights.

New Era with F1 TV Premium

Formula 1's own content service, F1 TV Premium, will still be valid for users in the U.S.; however, it will now be integrated with the Apple TV subscription. Customers will have access to F1 TV Premium not as an independent service but through their Apple subscription. This will further strengthen Apple’s presence in the sports world.

In conclusion, the agreement signed between Apple and F1 could lead to significant changes in the future of sports broadcasting. Investors and sports enthusiasts should closely watch these new developments.