Apple F1 streaming rights in more countries: what's confirmed and what's not

Apple F1 streaming rights in more countries just moved from rumor to stated expectation. Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali said yesterday that Apple will pursue broadcast deals abroad once existing contracts allow it, telling investors Apple will move "as soon as this opportunity will be open for them" (StockAnalysis earnings transcript; The Race). That's an expectation from F1's own leadership on an investor call, not a signed contract, and Apple has made no matching public statement of its own.

The comment comes just over a year after Apple became F1's exclusive U.S. broadcast partner, a five-year deal covering every practice, qualifying, sprint, and race session starting with the 2026 season and replacing ESPN (Apple Newsroom; TechNews).

Here's what Domenicali and Liberty Media CEO Derek Chang actually said this week, what Apple's current F1 deal includes, and which countries are tied to other broadcasters long enough that an Apple bid won't change anything for years.

What Apple F1 streaming rights in more countries would depend on

Asked directly whether Apple would pursue F1 rights abroad, Domenicali said, "The answer is yes," adding that F1 and Apple are already discussing the possibility (StockAnalysis). El Nacional reported the same comments today, citing Domenicali's line that Apple will seize opportunities in other markets "as soon as those opportunities are available" (El Nacional).

Chang backed the framing, saying Apple's potential presence as a bidder in other countries is "helpful" to F1's business, even in markets where Apple ultimately loses the rights (The Race). Beyond those quotes, none of the sources name a specific country, a bid amount, or a timetable for an actual Apple expansion.

What Apple TV's F1 deal covers right now

Apple's exclusive U.S. arrangement runs five years and covers every practice, qualifying, sprint, and race session, replacing ESPN starting with the 2026 season (TechNews). Apple's own announcement confirms the five-year partnership bringing all F1 races to Apple TV in the U.S. (Apple Newsroom).

U.S. subscribers get F1 TV Premium bundled in at no extra charge, with live timing, up to 30 additional onboard and data feeds, and a Multiview mode for watching up to four streams at once (El Nacional). Apple has also added Dolby Atmos surround sound to F1 broadcasts and is working to bring Multiview to more platforms (TechNews).

Neither company has disclosed the actual contract value. Industry estimates put Apple's annual U.S. rights payment somewhere between $140 million and $150 million, though that figure hasn't been confirmed by either side (TechNews).

Domenicali also used the earnings call to describe who's watching. He characterized the U.S. F1 audience as roughly 40% female with an average age between 18 and 24, calling the deal an "incredible opportunity" to reach that group (StockAnalysis). That's Domenicali's own characterization on an investor call. He didn't say how it was measured, and no independent audience data came with it.

Which countries are locked up, and for how long

F1 isn't planning to hand Apple, or anyone else, a single global contract. Domenicali said on the same call that the strategy has never been "one main media partner all around the world" but rather maximizing value "market by market" (The Race). For anyone outside the U.S. hoping Apple TV shows up locally, that's the part that matters most: any expansion happens country by country, on whatever schedule the existing contract allows.

Several major territories are tied up well into the next decade. Sky holds UK and Ireland rights through 2034 and Sky Italia through 2032, while beIN Sports controls Asia through 2030 and the Middle East, North Africa, and Turkey through 2033 (TechNews). DAZN's agreement covers Spain, Portugal, and Andorra through the 2030 season, which rules out exclusive Spanish rights for Apple before 2031 barring an unusual early exit from that deal (El Nacional). Viaplay's contract for the Netherlands and the Nordic countries runs through 2029 (TechNews).

That's the rights timeline identified in this week's reporting, not a complete list of every country's F1 contract. For viewers outside the U.S., the current broadcaster's contract length is the first thing to check when estimating when Apple TV could realistically enter the picture, regardless of how badly Apple wants in.

Why F1 wants Apple bidding, even if it doesn't win

Chang's comments explain why F1's leadership keeps bringing Apple up without a deal to announce. He said Apple's presence as a bidder is valuable "even if we don't necessarily go with them in those markets," because competition among bidders "tighten[s] the markets" (The Race). The logic: another credible bidder in the mix can push incumbent broadcasters to pay more to keep what they already have, whether or not Apple ever wins a contract.

Both executives also framed the U.S. partnership as beating their own expectations. Chang called the product "probably exceeded expectations," and Domenicali pointed to double-digit percentage growth in global TV audiences during the third quarter, including at the Italian and Dutch races (The Race). Those growth figures came directly from Domenicali's remarks on the call, with no specific U.S. viewership numbers or outside verification attached (StockAnalysis).

What's confirmed is that F1's leadership is happy with Apple and wants the relationship to expand. What isn't confirmed is any measurable, independently verified proof that the Apple TV product is driving new subscriptions or retaining viewers better than the ESPN deal it replaced.

What to do if you're watching F1 outside the U.S.

If F1 coverage in your country currently runs through Sky, beIN Sports, DAZN, or Viaplay, those contracts stay in force until the expiration dates covered above. Nothing in this week's comments changes any of them, and no Apple bid can override a rights holder's existing term.

Check your current broadcaster's published F1 rights term before assuming anything is about to change. Treat Domenicali's and Chang's comments as a stated intention, not a rollout, and wait for Apple or Formula 1 to name an actual market, bid, or launch date before expecting Apple TV F1 coverage in your region.