Apple is actively pursuing the streaming rights for the Formula One World Championship, according to reports from *The Financial Times*. This initiative comes on the heels of the success of “F1: The Movie,” Apple’s first major box office success, which has earned over $300 million globally.
The tech giant aims to enhance its sports streaming portfolio, having made its debut in live sports in 2022 with events from Major League Baseball and Major League Soccer on Apple TV+. Currently, Disney holds the rights to Formula 1, paying $85 million per year, alongside other charges to fans for its streaming service.
With an increasing interest in Formula 1, reflected by a significant rise in viewership—from 554,000 in 2024 to approximately 1.1 million, further climbing to 1.3 million for the initial ten events of this year—Liberty Media, the sport’s U.S. owners, sees potential for increased deal values. Future streaming rights could exceed $121 million annually.
Following its theatrical release, “F1: The Movie” is expected to be available for streaming on Apple TV+ in 2025, setting a strategic stage for Apple as it seeks to consolidate its position in the competitive streaming landscape. In addition to its streaming ambitions, Apple is gearing up to launch the iPhone 17 series, with expectations for design updates and new features.
Moreover, in select states, users may soon be able to add their driver’s licenses or state IDs to the Wallet app, although this rollout has lagged since its announcement in 2021. Apple’s plans for new Mac models have shifted to 2026, and rumors suggest exciting developments on the horizon for its upcoming Apple TV as well.
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