Apple and Formula 1 are bringing all F1 races exclusively to Apple TV subscribers in America
Following its landmark exclusive U.S. streaming rights agreement for Formula 1 races on Apple TV, Apple is eager to expand its F1 coverage internationally. However, long-term deals held by incumbents like Sky (extended to 2034 in the UK) and varying rights cycles across Europe mean a broader global push could take several years, with analysts pointing to Germany, East Asia, or Africa as potential future opportunities.
Apple hopes to enter other markets after securing a five-year U.S. streaming deal to show Formula One races on Apple TV. Yet differing media rights cycles may act as a brake on the $4.37-trillion tech company’s global ambitions.
The Liberty Media-owned single seater is a popular live sports championship amongst fans, streaming services and traditional broadcasters.
“We have a buy on F1. I think you can really see that the sport is exploding in popularity. I think it’s gaining ground even in some of the more mature markets like Europe and the U.S. has really gained ground,” said Matthew Harrigan, an equity research analyst for Benchmark Company.
Comcast-owned Sky agreed to extend its F1 media rights deal to 2034 in the U.K. and 2032 in Italy at a premium price of one billion pounds ($1.34 billion), according to industry sources, ahead of its original 2029 expiration year in the U.K.
The current incumbents in Europe have varying F1 media rights cycles: French broadcaster Canal+’s deal ends in 2029, while sports streaming platform DAZN has an exclusive agreement to broadcast Grands Prix in Spain until the end of the 2026 season.
“If Apple truly does want to make this kind of a more global push, they’re going to do it region by region… and wait until these deals expire just to be able to try and compete for them,” [Morningstar’s Senior Equity Analyst William] Kerwin said.
MacDailyNews Take: Slow and steady wins the race.
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Apple Sports — the free app for iPhone that gives fans access to real-time scores, stats, and more — is now available to download on the App Store in more than 170 countries and regions around the world, including more than 90 newly added markets.
Just in time for the World Cup, the Apple Sports app is now available in more than 170 countries and regions.
Apple Sports — the free app for iPhone that gives fans access to real-time scores, stats, and more — is now available to download on the App Store in more than 170 countries and regions around the world, including more than 90 newly added markets. Designed for speed and simplicity, the app delivers a personalized experience, putting fans’ favorite teams and leagues front and center with a simple, intuitive interface designed by Apple.
Apple Sports is helping fans get ready for the World Cup by allowing them to explore tournament groupings and customize their scoreboards simply by following the entire tournament or their favorite national teams — making it easier to stay on top of key moments when the tournament kicks off in June. Following a team also enables Live Activities on a user’s iPhone Lock Screen or Apple Watch, letting them follow every moment of a match with just a quick glance. Fans can also add widgets to their iPhone, iPad, and MacBook Home Screens to track the progress of the tournament in real time. With Apple Sports, fans can easily jump to the Apple TV app with a single tap to find live matches on connected streaming services throughout the tournament.
“The World Cup unites fans across the globe, making it the ideal moment to bring Apple Sports to even more users,” said Oliver Schusser, Apple’s vice president of Music, Sports, Apple TV, and Beats, in a statement. “Apple Sports was designed to be fast and simple, giving fans an easy way to stay on top of scores, stats, and the action that matters most in real time.”
New features designed to keep users informed and engaged throughout the tournament include:
• Tournament bracket view: The clean, scrollable view of matchups and results for each round allows fans to easily track a team’s progression from the group stage through their final match.
• Visual formations: Enhanced game cards feature visual formations for each team’s starting lineup to provide deeper tactical insight ahead of each match.
• One tap to Apple News: Apple News connects fans directly to comprehensive editorial coverage, including the latest headlines.4 Download Apple Sports for free on the App Store.
MacDailyNews Take: A welcome World Cup update! Download Apple Sports for free on Apple’s App Store here.
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