Apple TV to Take Over F1 Streaming Rights in America

Scuderia Ferrari, Formula One

What Does This Mean for the Future of F1 Streaming?

Starting in 2026, Formula 1 fans in the United States will need to make a major shift in how they watch races. Apple TV has struck a five-year exclusive deal with Formula 1 to take over all U.S. streaming rights, marking the end of the standalone F1 TV app for American users.

This means that both the F1 TV Pro and F1 TV Premium tiers will no longer be available to subscribers in the United States. Instead, Apple TV will serve as the new home for live race coverage, including all practice sessions, qualifying, sprint races, and main Grands Prix.

F1 TV App to Shut Down in the U.S.

As part of the transition:

●      Annual subscriptions for F1 TV Pro and Premium will not renew after October 17, 2025.

●      Monthly subscriptions will end or stop auto-renewing on December 8, 2025.

By January 1, 2026, U.S. fans will no longer be able to stream Formula 1 through the F1 TV app. However, Apple has confirmed that its platform will include many of the same “premium” features, so fans will still be able to watch every session live — just on a different platform.

Interestingly, Apple TV has hinted (via The Race and other outlets) that it will also offer select free-to-watch sessionsfor non-subscribers, a welcome touch for casual fans.

Pricing and Packages

Currently, a standard Apple TV+ subscription costs $12.99 per month in the U.S. For households that share subscriptions, there are bundled options through Apple One:

●      Apple One Family – $25.95/month Includes Apple TV+, Apple Music, iCloud storage, and Apple Arcade for up to five family members.Apple One Premium – $37.95/month Offers everything in the Family plan plus additional services and expanded iCloud storage.

While these bundles make Apple TV more versatile, what’s still unclear is whether Formula 1 coverage will include the advanced features fans have come to love from F1 TV — like multiview, onboard cameras, 4K/HDR streams, team radio, alternate commentary, and access to archival footage.

For fans who enjoy revisiting classic races from the V10 era, that uncertainty could be a major drawback if Apple doesn’t integrate F1’s extensive historical archives.

Concerns About Accessibility

One of the biggest questions is accessibility. While Apple TV is available on many smart TVs and streaming devices (like Roku, Samsung Smart TVs, and TVOS), not every fan in the U.S. uses Apple products.

Many F1 fans rely on Android devices — in fact, Android is a McLaren sponsor — and others use Windows PCs or older phones that don’t support the Apple TV app natively. While users can access Apple TV through a web browser, that’s a less convenient experience for those who prefer to stream races on the go.

This shift could make it harder for some fans to watch races easily, especially since many people primarily stream content on their phones rather than computers.

Potential Impact on the U.S. Fanbase

The U.S. has become one of F1’s fastest-growing markets, with an estimated 46% of new fans coming from America in recent years. If Apple’s exclusive deal makes access more difficult or limits key features, there’s a risk that some fans could lose interest or disengage.

Additionally, fans are worried about whether pre- and post-race coverage, driver interviews, and behind-the-scenes segments like the Weekend Warm-Up will continue under Apple’s platform — all of which are popular parts of the F1 TV experience.

Final Thoughts

The move to Apple TV marks a major turning point for Formula 1 in the United States. While it could bring higher-quality production, integration with Apple’s ecosystem, and potential innovations in how races are streamed, it also introduces challenges in accessibility and uncertainty around fan-favorite features.

For now, American fans have until the end of 2025 to enjoy F1 TV as they know it. After that, all eyes will be on Apple TV to see if it can deliver the same level of flexibility, interactivity, and excitement that F1 TV has offered for years.

By Kellie