Apple TV secured its first Formula 1 viewership victory over ESPN with last weekend's Australian Grand Prix marking the debut of Apple's exclusive five-year streaming partnership. Apple senior VP Eddy Cue confirmed year-over-year viewership growth compared to ESPN's coverage of the 2025 race, though declined to share specific numbers.

The Australian GP averaged 1.1 million viewers for ESPN last year in its late-night time slot. Apple TV now offers comprehensive F1 coverage including all practice sessions, qualifying, Sprint races, and Grands Prix as part of its standard $12.99 monthly subscription, potentially expanding the sport's audience beyond ESPN's previous reach.

This early success suggests Apple's streaming service can effectively compete against traditional sports broadcasters. With upcoming US races in Miami and Montreal, Apple is positioned to build on initial viewership momentum, showing premium content drives subscription growth for the tech giant's media ambitions.