Apple secured a five-year U.S. streaming deal to broadcast Formula One races on Apple TV, announced in May 2026 [1, 2]. Liberty Media owns Formula One, which continues to grow as a premier global live sports championship [1, 2].
Formula One generated $617 million in revenue in the first quarter of 2026, a 53% increase from the previous year despite the cancellation of Bahrain and Saudi Arabian races in April 2026 [1, 2]. Bernstein forecasts Formula One media rights revenue in 2026 between $90 million and $110 million, making these contracts a key financial driver for the sport [1, 2].
In response to Apple's entry, Sky extended its exclusive U.K. rights to broadcast Formula One until 2034, and Italy’s rights until 2032, paying a combined premium of one billion pounds ($1.34 billion) [1, 2]. Independent analyst Francois Godard said Sky renewed "from a position of caution" because Apple targeted the valuable U.K. market, which has "more e-commerce, more subscriptions to online newspapers, more subscriptions to video services" [1].
Apple aims to expand its Formula One streaming globally, but will likely do so gradually, entering new markets as existing rights agreements expire [1, 2]. France’s Canal+ contract runs through 2029, and DAZN holds exclusive rights in Spain until the end of the 2026 season [1, 2].
Equity analysts highlight Formula One’s rising popularity in key markets. Matthew Harrigan of Benchmark emphasized the sport’s growth especially in mature markets such as Europe and the U.S., while Morningstar’s William Kerwin noted the high value of live sports rights and rising competition for emerging sports properties [1].
Apple holds a market valuation of $4.37 trillion, reinforcing its ability to make long-term media deals and compete with established broadcasters [1, 2]. The next major benchmark for Formula One media will be upcoming renewals in France and Spain, where Apple may challenge existing broadcasters.
The new Apple streaming deal for the U.S. starts immediately, setting the stage for intense competition in key global Formula One markets over the next decade [1, 2].