Apple Eyes F1 Broadcasting Rights After Blockbuster Movie Success

Apple Inc. is reportedly in discussions to secure the broadcasting rights for Formula 1 (F1) in the United States, following the significant success of the F1 movie. The film, starring Brad Pitt, has achieved a global box office revenue of approximately $300 million, setting a new record for Apple's highest-grossing film. This success marks a pivotal shift in Apple's content strategy, moving towards mainstream commercial blockbusters after previous films like "Killers of the Flower Moon" and "Napoleon" failed to meet commercial expectations.

The F1 movie's triumph is seen as a strategic move by Apple to expand its influence in the sports broadcasting sector. The film's popularity is expected to attract a younger audience, more women, and American viewers, thereby increasing the value of F1's broadcasting rights. The current broadcasting contract between F1 and ESPN, a subsidiary of Disney, is set to expire next year. F1 currently earns around $85 million annually from ESPN. With the exclusive negotiation period between ESPN and F1 concluded, Netflix has also emerged as a strong contender for the F1 broadcasting rights starting from the 2026 season.

Apple's interest in the F1 broadcasting rights indicates its intention to deepen its involvement in live sports broadcasting. Previously, Apple had secured a deal with Major League Baseball (MLB) in 2022 to broadcast Friday night games and has also partnered with Major League Soccer (MLS) for broader coverage. The F1 movie's success and Apple's strategic moves suggest a concerted effort to establish a stronger presence in the sports entertainment industry, leveraging its technological prowess and financial resources to attract a wider audience.

F1's owner, Liberty Media, hopes that the movie, along with Netflix's documentary series "Drive to Survive," will attract more young, female, and American viewers, thereby enhancing the value of the broadcasting rights. The current broadcasting contract between F1 and ESPN is set to expire next year, and F1 is looking to capitalize on the increased interest generated by the movie to secure a more lucrative deal. With the exclusive negotiation period between ESPN and F1 concluded, Netflix has also emerged as a strong contender for the F1 broadcasting rights starting from the 2026 season.

Apple's move to secure the F1 broadcasting rights is part of a broader strategy to expand its presence in the sports broadcasting sector. The company has already made significant inroads into the industry, securing deals with MLB and MLS. The F1 movie's success and Apple's strategic moves suggest a concerted effort to establish a stronger presence in the sports entertainment industry, leveraging its technological prowess and financial resources to attract a wider audience. The competition for the F1 broadcasting rights is expected to be fierce, with Apple, Netflix, and other potential bidders vying for the opportunity to capitalize on the increased interest in the sport.