Apple TV Highlights $150 M F1 Deal and Multi‑View Surge at Miami Grand Prix

TL;DR: Apple TV’s Miami Grand Prix broadcast attracted roughly 33% of its F1 audience to the multi‑view feature, spotlighting the network’s $150 million‑per‑year U.S. rights deal.

Apple TV entered its first season as the U.S. home of Formula 1 with a five‑year agreement valued at about $150 million annually. The Miami Grand Prix, one of the sport’s most‑watched events worldwide, served as a test case for the service’s new capabilities.

Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of services, called the race a “relaunch” for the platform’s F1 coverage. He highlighted upcoming features and praised the 4K Dolby Vision picture and 5.1 surround‑sound audio, noting that Apple’s compression is lighter than competitors’. Cue said the visual quality left viewers “wow‑ed.”

Apple’s multi‑view option lets subscribers display up to four live feeds—such as in‑car cameras, timing data, and alternate commentary—simultaneously during practice, qualifying, and the race. Data from the Miami weekend shows that about one‑third of F1 viewers on Apple TV engaged this feature, a strong early indicator of adoption.

The service also offers a choice of commentary teams: the traditional F1 TV feed or Sky Sports, which ESPN used in its previous broadcasts. Additional content includes pre‑race “Circuits in Focus” with former champion Nico Rosberg and post‑race analysis “POV” featuring technical experts.

Apple’s broader ecosystem supports the race with circuit maps in Apple Maps, driver‑curated playlists in Apple Music, and related stories in Apple News and podcasts. The event was also streamed in 50 IMAX venues and a Times Square billboard, extending reach beyond the app.

While Apple does not participate in Nielsen’s ratings system, the company plans to release its first viewership figures in May. The Miami weekend’s multi‑view uptake will likely influence how Apple markets its F1 product and negotiates future rights.

What to watch next: Apple’s May release of viewer metrics and any enhancements to the multi‑view interface ahead of the next high‑profile race.