In a groundbreaking move, Apple has clinched exclusive US broadcasting rights for Formula One (F1) in a five-year partnership set to commence in 2026. The tech giant and the motorsport competition jointly announced the deal on Friday, marking a significant shift in the sports broadcasting landscape. Starting in 2026, all F1 races will be exclusively available on Apple TV, with select races and all practice sessions offered for free via the Apple TV app during the season. This agreement sees Apple TV taking over from ESPN, which currently holds the broadcasting rights. Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of services, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, ‘We’re thrilled to expand our relationship with Formula One and offer Apple TV subscribers in the US front-row access to one of the most exciting and fastest-growing sports on the planet.’ The deal, reportedly valued at $750 million over five years, underscores Apple’s aggressive push into live sports. F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali highlighted the potential for increased visibility in the US market, saying, ‘Thanks to Apple, we’re going to be ready to get into more houses and more in the culture of the American fans.’ Since acquiring F1 in 2017, Liberty Media has been working to boost the sport’s presence in the US, where motorsport fans traditionally favor NASCAR or IndyCar. The partnership builds on the success of ‘F1 The Movie,’ which has grossed $629 million globally since its summer release and will debut on Apple TV’s streaming service on December 12. Additionally, F1 TV Premium, the sport’s own streaming platform, will remain available in the US exclusively through Apple TV and will be included free for Apple TV subscribers.