Apple Secures Exclusive Formula 1 Rights As Services Revenue Hits Record High

Apple closed the year with strong financial results and a significant content acquisition, though European regulatory pressure continues to build. The company reported fiscal Q4 2025 revenue of $102.5 billion on October 30, an 8 percent increase year over year, and diluted earnings per share reached $1.85 as the Services division posted an all-time high. The board approved a 26-cent dividend for distribution on November 13. The September quarter brought record numbers across company revenue, iPhone sales, and earnings per share, and both hardware and software segments showed continued strength.

The Services division received a major boost on October 17 when Apple and Formula 1 announced a five-year partnership that makes Apple TV+ the exclusive US broadcaster for every Grand Prix race, which covers practice sessions, qualifying rounds, and Sprint events. Some sessions will be available at no cost through the Apple TV app, while F1 TV Premium will be integrated into Apple TV for American subscribers. The deal follows the theatrical success of Apple Original Films’ “F1 The Movie” and represents a calculated push to strengthen the streaming platform’s subscriber base through premium live sports programming.

Formula 1’s expansion in the American market has created new opportunities for sports fans who follow multiple racing series and leagues. Resources like Cardplayer’s list provides sports bettors with access to international sportsbook platforms that deliver larger bonuses and sharper odds for bettors throughout the United States. These worldwide operators typically feature more extensive betting markets and superior platform capabilities compared to state-regulated alternatives.

Reuters reported that the Formula 1 rights negotiation had been in progress for several years, part of Apple’s strategy to differentiate its streaming service with marquee sports properties. The Guardian examined industry discussion around pricing structures and the role of blockbuster rights in subscriber growth. The partnership gives Apple a flagship asset that can boost user engagement, drive additional service subscriptions, and support hardware sales across its ecosystem.

Apple widened its streaming distribution on October 16 through a partnership with NBCUniversal that introduced an Apple TV+ and Peacock bundle, and the package became available on October 20 to offer viewers another route to a consolidated streaming experience. This bundle could lift viewing hours within the Apple ecosystem and reinforce Services revenue growth as the company heads into 2026.

The company rolled out a new 14-inch MacBook Pro in mid-October with the M5 chip, which Apple said brings better artificial intelligence processing and graphics for creative and professional users. Apple also faced escalated scrutiny under Europe’s Digital Markets Act, as the European Commission issued its first DMA fines in April with a €500 million charge against Apple for App Store anti-steering practices.

The Formula 1 deal costs Apple around $150 million per year, a jump from the $90 million ESPN paid since 2023. Apple Senior Vice President Eddy Cue said 2026 brings new teams, different regulations, and updated cars to Formula 1. The deal gives Apple a way to reach nearly 300 million iPhone users in the United States and connect with younger fans. Recent surveys found that 47 percent of new American Formula 1 fans are between 18 and 24 years old, with over half being female. Apple plans to amplify Formula 1 content across Apple News, Apple Maps, Apple Music, Apple Sports, and Apple Fitness+.