Apple bids for Formula One broadcast rights in America on heels of Brad Pitt blockbuster

Apple’s official poster for ‘F1,’ starring Brad Pitt, now in cinemas worldwide
Apple is negotiating to secure US broadcasting rights for Formula One, aiming to build on the success of its popular movie tied to the racing series and expand its live sports offerings. The tech giant is competing with Disney’s ESPN, the current US broadcaster for Formula One, as the contract opens up next year, Financial Times reports citing “two people familiar with the discussions.”
Samuel Agini and Michael Acton for Financial Times:
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The interest comes as F1 starring Brad Pitt becomes the company’s first big box office success since moving into the business of making original content for its Apple TV+ streaming service.
F1 has generated roughly $300mn at the box office making it Apple’s highest-grossing film, while representing a pivot into producing mainstream blockbusters after commercial disappointments with Killers of the Flower Moon and Napoleon.
Apple has previously made moves into the live sports streaming, striking a deal with Major League Baseball in 2022 to broadcast games on Friday nights, as well as a broader deal with North America’s Major League Soccer.
The race car series makes in the region of $85mn a year from its existing broadcast partner ESPN. F1 also streams live races on its own streaming service in the US, charging fans directly.
Analysts at Citi have previously estimated that F1’s next US broadcast deal could be worth $121mn a year, although that was before the release of the F1 film. Its total global media rights revenue grew almost 8 per cent to about $1.1bn in 2024.
F1 is yet to make a decision on its future broadcasting arrangements and ESPN may yet retain the rights, according to a person with direct knowledge of the matter.

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MacDailyNews Take: If Apple really wants broadcast rights to Formula 1 in America, Apple will have broadcast rights to Formula 1 in America.

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