Apple has secured the exclusive rights to stream Formula 1 in the United States starting in 2026, outbidding ESPN with a five-year deal. After seven years of broadcasting the championship, ESPN's tenure will come to an end, but not without seeing a substantial increase in viewership over these years.
ESPN acquired broadcasting rights in 2018 for free, a year after Liberty Media's acquisition of F1. The Disney-owned broadcaster sensed an opportunity with the series valued at $8billion when it was acquired by the media company, and while the deal turned from a big fat zero into a contract worth a reported $90million a year, it has been a fruitful relationship for both sides.
