Formula 1's president and CEO, Derek Chang, expressed optimism about extending the sport's U.S. broadcasting partnership with Apple TV beyond 2030. Speaking at an event in Austin, Texas, Chang noted that Apple has performed better than expected since securing exclusive rights in October 2025. The five-year agreement, which replaces ESPN starting with the 2026 season, covers all Grand Prix sessions through 2030.
While Chang declined to confirm contract specifics like opt-out clauses, he emphasized Liberty Media views Apple as a strong partner. The deal is reportedly valued between $140 million and $160 million annually, significantly higher than the previous $90 million ESPN contract. Despite independent data suggesting a drop in household reach for some races, Apple's Eddy Cue reported double-digit viewership growth compared to the prior season.
F1 also noted a 13% increase in total U.S. viewing hours, though metrics differ across platforms. Chang argued traditional TV ratings fail to capture the full value of Apple's integrated ecosystem, which includes Apple News, Apple TV, and Apple Sports.
Source: AppleInsider · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing