Liberty Media CEO expects Apple to be "very lively" in F1 international rights race

Liberty Media CEO Derek Chang says Apple is prone to be “very lively” when requested if Apple would ever battle for international Components 1 rights. This comes because the tech large readies itself to take over broadcasting for america from the start of 2026.

Chatting with CNBC, Chang commented on Apple’s position in F1 and its broadcasting, linking it to the huge success the model noticed with the blockbuster F1 film starring Brad Pitt.

“In parallel [to the F1 movie], we ended up doing a take care of Apple on the US media rights,” he stated on the corporate taking up from ESPN. “And the best way we take a look at it now could be, kind of the entire media panorama, and we speak about when it comes to attain has simply modified over time due to what expertise has enabled.

“And now it’s not nearly what occurs in a one-and-a-half-hour broadcast window throughout a Sunday race, however being at all times on, at all times current.

“I believe that Apple, with what they’ll do from a expertise standpoint, will actually improve the product and subsequently the content material, and the entire expertise that I believe will simply proceed to drive the model and drive the notice of the game.”

When pressed on whether or not he believes Apple will pursue international F1 rights when the contract turns into accessible, Chang responded, admitting that he believes will probably be “very lively” when that occurs. He additionally confirmed that Liberty Media is in talks with Apple on “a number of fronts”, though he didn’t element what this meant.

Apple and Components 1 introduced in October that Apple TV will take over F1 broadcasting in america from the start of the 2026 season. This five-year contract is anticipated to be valued at roughly $140million per season.

“Clearly, we did the F1 film,” Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vp of companies, stated throughout america Grand Prix weekend. “I’ve identified Stefano [Domenicali] for a very long time. The F1 film made us nearer with the entire staff and seeing what was attainable.

Tim Prepare dinner and Eddy Cue on the World Premiere of F1 The Film

Picture by: Getty Pictures

“The film’s been an enormous hit. Largest sports activities film of all time, Brad Pitt’s greatest film of all time. We’ve not even launched it but on Apple TV. It comes out December twelfth, as effectively. So we’ll get an entire set of recent audiences to look at it once more. And we’re excited concerning the alternative of development within the US Components 1 has gotten means greater, however the sincere reality is it nonetheless can develop exponential. It is an enormous, big alternative. It is extra than simply racing. It is tradition.”

In truth, Cue in contrast the racing sequence to Main League Soccer, a sport Apple presently has the rights to however shall be dropping after the conclusion of the 2028/29 season – three and a half years sooner than anticipated.

“It is a entire different degree,” he stated on F1. “Simply actually, it is a a lot greater sport than Main League Soccer. And we predict there’s an enormous alternative to leverage. We’re making it a part of Apple TV, the subscription. It isn’t a season move or a further bundle. So it’ll have a wider attain as effectively.”