Apple TV to Stream Formula 1 Austrian Grand Prix Free for US Viewers
Apple TV is making the Formula 1 Austrian Grand Prix available for free to U.S. viewers from June 26-28, including all sessions. This marks the first time the platform has offered an entire race weekend without a subscription, fulfilling a previous commitment and aiming to boost F1's exposure and Apple's position in sports streaming, where viewership is reportedly up.
Key points
- Apple TV, the tech giant's streaming service, will broadcast the full Formula 1 Austrian Grand Prix weekend free of charge to audiences in the United States.
- All race sessions, including practice rounds, qualifying, and the main race, will be accessible without an Apple TV subscription from June 26 through June 28.
- The broadcast begins June 26 with Practice 1 at 7:30 AM ET and concludes with the race on June 28 at 9:00 AM ET.
- This event marks the first time Apple has delivered on its promise to offer select Grand Prix weekends freely since acquiring exclusive U.S. broadcast rights for Formula 1.
- The initiative aims to expand Formula 1's audience and enhance Apple's standing in the sports streaming market, as the company indicates F1 viewership is tracking ahead of previous broadcasts on ESPN.
- U.S. residents can access the free stream through the Apple TV app, available on various devices and via web browsers.
Apple TV, the streaming platform operated by technology giant Apple, is set to offer comprehensive live coverage of the Formula 1 Austrian Grand Prix entirely free for viewers within the United States. This special event, spanning from June 26 to June 28, will include all practice sessions, the qualifying rounds, and the main race without requiring a paid subscription to the Apple TV service.
This move represents a significant fulfillment of Apple's earlier commitment to provide select Formula 1 races without a paywall, following its acquisition of exclusive U.S. broadcast rights for the prestigious motorsport. The full schedule kicks off on Friday, June 26, with Practice 1 at 7:30 AM ET and Practice 2 at 11:00 AM ET. Saturday, June 27, will feature Qualifying at 10:00 AM ET, leading up to the main race on Sunday, June 28, at 9:00 AM ET.
The strategic decision to make this Grand Prix freely accessible is expected to broaden the sport's reach and elevate its exposure to new audiences in the U.S. It also aligns with Apple's growing ambitions in sports content, as the company has indicated that its Formula 1 viewership figures are surpassing those recorded by ESPN in the previous year. Apple TV is increasingly becoming a destination for live sports, having also streamed Major League Soccer games and Major League Baseball doubleheaders.
U.S. residents can easily access the free broadcast via the Apple TV app, which supports a wide array of devices including Android and Windows, smart TVs, gaming consoles like Xbox and PlayStation, as well as web browsers at tv.apple.com. This widespread availability ensures that a large audience can tune in to experience the thrill of the Austrian Grand Prix.
Sources
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