F1 viewership slips as Apple TV takes the wheel from ESPN

U.S. Formula 1 viewership fell in 2026 after moving from ESPN to Apple TV, with the Miami Grand Prix down 68% and Monaco down 66% in household reach; eight of nine races declined, while Japan was unchanged. Analysts say some fans used Apple TV’s free trial to watch F1 but didn’t convert to paid subscriptions. Despite the overall drop in reach, minutes watched increased for some races, and about 30% of 2026 F1 viewers hadn’t used Apple TV in late 2025, signaling new audiences as Apple TV expands its sports slate through a 2030 F1 deal.