Apple's F1 streaming deal may be on the final lap

Apple is reportedly very close to making a deal to stream Formula 1 races through its Apple TV+ streaming platform — and it could be announced during the United States Grand Prix.

Ever since CEO Tim Cook slowly waved the checkered flag at the U.S. Grand Prix in 2022, and buoyed by the success of the "F1" movie, there have been murmurs of Apple being more involved with the sport. If a report about negotiations is correct, that could become a reality soon.

According to a Puck newsletter by John Ourland, Apple's negotiations with Formula 1 is finally approaching the end. The negotiations, once completed, would hand Apple the streaming rights for Formula 1 races in the United States.

Current rights holder ESPN will continue streaming the high-speed races until the conclusion of the 2025 season. So long as the deal goes through, those rights should head over to Apple for 2026.

It is believed that ESPN currently pays $90 million per year, but it is reported that Apple is willing to pay $140 million per year instead.

As for when the deal could be announced, it is thought that F1 and Apple will try to do so during the U.S. Grand Prix in Austin. For those not familiar, this happens from October 17 to October 19.

A very long race to a deal

The negotiations for the American rights to the races have taken a long time to conclude. While part of this is the sheer number of details and requirements that go into broadcast rights negotiations, there is still one major sticking point.

Apparently, Apple is not keen on Formula 1's own streaming service showing the races at the same time as its broadcasts. Since it is paying so much for the rights fees, Apple's position is for F1 TV in the United States not to show the races, and for it to be an Apple-exclusive affair.

However, as F1 TV is apparently a very profitable enterprise for the U.S. market, Formula 1 isn't willing to stop broadcasting through it.

There is no indication which side will give in to the other on the matter at this time, but it should become known at the time of the deal's announcement.