Is Apple about to grab F1 broadcast rights in USA for 26 & beyond?

[John S]

According to this story announcement due at weekends US GP.
Looks like coverage in US is about to get more exclusive & expensive next year, unless you have Apple TV package already - or an existing F1Tv account already that they'll carry over, maybe. 

https://f1i.com/news/550509-apple-set-for-blockbuster-f1-rights-deal-austin-reveal-expected.html

[Dare]

Right now the Apple TV+ streaming service costs $12.99 per month or $99 per year.

So if you pay annually it's cheaper the F1TV.  So it's not as bad s it sounds

[John S]

Ah but there's bound to be some sort of premium added down the line if Apple are paying such massive sums for sports broadcast rights for F1 and other big sports.

Probably end up like Sky TV in Britain with a big supplement over & above other entertainment packages for sports coverage. Oh & just like in UK you'll have to buy Footy, Rugby, Golf etc even if you don't want it. 

[Dare]

I'd imagine their monthly fee would increase just like
all other streaming apps. Not everyone loves F1 so they
would likely cancel.

When I bought a new tv a couple of years ago I received
3 months of Apple free. I wasn't too impressed with it

[cosworth151]

Back to the old days of spending race day searching the internet for bootleg feeds. I''m sure some of you can remember watching F1 with the commentary in Polish. 

[Jericoke]

I'm not a fan of Apple as a consumer electronics company. They've made a lot of anti competitive decisions that have informed a lot of modern capitalism.

HOWEVER Apple is also a company that continues to look at things and ask how to make them better.  The Mac was very much a way to make home computing easier.  iTunes, and the iPod made enjoying music much easier. The iPhone wasn't the first smart phone, but was the first simple one that all the modern ones are based on.  My point is, they have taken the same approach to televised sports.  They didn't take over MLS and MLB just for the eyeballs.  They saw something that could be improved, and they did.  I doubt there's anyone here who doesn't have complaints about some aspect of F1 coverage.  If anyone was going to take over F1 broadcast, and fix it, it's Apple.

[Dare]

Looks like Apple got the rights. Little tidbit news


This new broadcast agreement will see Apple TV host all practice, qualifying, Sprint sessions, and Grand Prix. Select races and all practice sessions throughout the season will also be available to watch for free in the Apple TV app.

F1 TV Premium, F1’s own premier content offering, will continue to be available in the U.S. via an Apple TV subscription only and will be free for those who subscribe.

[Jericoke]

Looks like Apple got the rights. Little tidbit news


This new broadcast agreement will see Apple TV host all practice, qualifying, Sprint sessions, and Grand Prix. Select races and all practice sessions throughout the season will also be available to watch for free in the Apple TV app.

F1 TV Premium, F1’s own premier content offering, will continue to be available in the U.S. via an Apple TV subscription only and will be free for those who subscribe.

I'm sure it will become clear what Apple has exactly purchased.  But it looks like they just bought the rights to show F1TV?  If so, F1TV would still be produced by... whoever produces it not?  (FOM I suppose?)

I thought it might be a unique production, akin to Sky.  I'm not sure if ESPN produced their own broadcast or simply used an existing feed (F1TV?  Sky?)  I know that TSN (Canadian ESPN) had been using the British Sky feed.  TSN once tried to use the SpeedVision feed, but I'm willing to bet every single Canadian fan contacted to complain: it only lasted one race.  (We did have the option of watching the SpeedVision feed directly)

Since the news article only mentions American rights, I suppose it continues to be TSN (with Sky) or F1TV (which is waht I use) in Canada

[Dare]

Here's the whole article

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/motorsports/formula-1-strikes-multimillion-dollar-deal-with-us-streaming-giant/ar-AA1OFn5l?ocid=hpmsn&cvid=68f2ae2e3f2b42b4a84ea9dac4d25a4f&ei=13

[cosworth151]

Maybe the headline should read "F1 gives monodigit salute to American fans." Time to invest in some location spoofing software.