Source: REUTERS/Bernadett Szabo
[Saba Sports News] According to U.S. reports, Apple may pay up to 150 million annually to secure the new broadcasting rights of F1 in the U.S., which would be more than a 70-85 million paid by ESPN. The existing F1 broadcast rights in the U.S. will expire at the end of this year. In February, the exclusive renewal negotiation window between ESPN and F1 had already passed, and several tech and media groups, including Netflix and Amazon, entered the talks. But ultimately, Apple came out on top. Apple’s sudden push into the market is closely related to the success of its film “F1: Drive to Survive.” According to data, the movie’s global box office has reached $600 million, making it Apple’s highest-grossing film. Social media has been filled with discussions about the film, which have merged into daily F1 conversations. Through producing and releasing “F1: Drive to Survive,” Apple has already taken one foot into the F1 world. The commercial success and influence of the film have once again proven the value of F1 in the U.S. and globally. After securing the F1 rights, Apple could develop the rights while continuing to produce sequels or derivative content for “F1: Drive to Survive,” integrating rights, content, and ecosystem to eventually create an “Apple version of Drive to Survive.”