Formula 1 has had strong growth in recent years, and the digital world is no exception – partly driven by the Netflix series, Drive to Survive. Apple now wants the global exclusive rights, with a proposal that would revolutionize television broadcasts.
According to the Business F1 website, the tech giant is considering presenting a proposal of two billion dollars per year to broadcast the races of the premier category. And if it goes ahead and is accepted, it could mean the end of television broadcasts, focusing on a single streaming service – Apple TV.
In terms of exposure and reach, it may not be the most enticing, but there are other factors that could make F1 yield: the amount that Apple is willing to invest is double the current earnings from broadcasting rights and represents over 75 percent of the profits that F1 currently has.
The interest of the iPhone manufacturer in the top class of motorsport is not new, as it is already producing a documentary about Lewis Hamilton and a film in which Brad Pitt leads the cast. Apple also holds the rights to Major League Soccer since 2022, and the success with them may have sparked the desire to explore other sports.