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Apple Pursues U.S. Formula 1 Broadcast Rights Following ‘F1: The Movie’ Box Office Success

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Apple is reportedly in discussions to acquire the U.S. broadcast rights for Formula 1 racing once the current contract expires next year, according to the Financial Times, citing sources familiar with the talks.

This move comes on the heels of Apple’s “F1: The Movie,” starring Brad Pitt, which has already grossed over $300 million worldwide. The film’s success highlights the growing appetite for Formula 1 content in the U.S.

Currently, ESPN, owned by Walt Disney, holds exclusive U.S. broadcast rights through the 2025 season. However, ESPN’s exclusive negotiation window has expired, opening the market to new bidders, including Apple and Netflix.

Apple aims to leverage the increasing popularity of Formula 1 in America, which has also been fueled by Netflix’s documentary series “Formula 1: Drive to Survive.” Netflix is another major contender for the broadcasting rights starting from 2026.

The addition of Formula 1 content could help Apple TV+ compete with streaming giants such as Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video by strengthening its live sports portfolio. Sports broadcasting rights are considered crucial in the streaming wars, as they drive subscriber growth and advertising revenue.

In recent years, streaming platforms have made significant investments in exclusive sports rights — for example, Netflix paid over $5 billion for the exclusive streaming of WWE’s “Raw” in multiple territories starting this year.

Apple’s acquisition of Formula 1 U.S. rights would mark a significant expansion into live sports for its platform, potentially boosting subscriber numbers and market presence.

Netflix Collaborates with CBS Sports for Christmas Day NFL Games

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Netflix has partnered with CBS Sports, owned by Paramount Global, to produce and air two National Football League (NFL) games on Christmas Day this year. CBS will retain broadcast rights for over-the-air television in the cities of the competing teams, while NFL+, the league’s live streaming service, will stream the games on mobile devices across the United States. This collaboration marks Netflix’s first venture into licensing live sports, particularly with the NFL, one of the world’s most popular sports leagues.

In May, Netflix announced plans to stream at least one NFL game on Christmas Day in 2025 and 2026, as part of an exclusive three-season agreement with the league. This initiative is a significant move for Netflix, as it not only highlights the streaming giant’s expansion into live sports but also strengthens its content portfolio. The NFL continues to be the most-watched sports league in the U.S., with this year’s Super Bowl drawing a record 123.7 million viewers. By securing the rights to stream NFL games, Netflix is positioning itself as a key player in the competitive sports streaming market, potentially attracting a broader audience to its platform.