Apple has announced it’ll air the next Formula 1 race on the calendar free for all viewers in the United States, regardless of whether they have a paid Apple TV streaming subscription.
The Austrian Grand Prix – which takes place from June 26-28 – will air for free via the Apple TV app across platforms and tv.apple.com website. That means all the practices, qualifying sessions and the race itself.
It comes after Apple opened up its exclusive F1 broadcast rights in the United States to Netflix subscribers for the Canadian Grand Prix. Apple also partnered up with IMAX cinemas in the US to show five races throughout the season.
This is the first time Apple has offered a race for free. It might be nice way for the company to showcase the broadcasts and convince a few more viewers to sign up and enjoy the rest of the season. Apple has a five-year deal with Formula 1 in the United States, so building that interest in the long term is crucial.
Apple TV offers F1 coverage to all monthly subscribers at no additional cost to subscribers in the United States, just as it does Major League Soccer and Major League Baseball games in the US and around the world.
Here’s the schedule for the Austrian Grand Prix:
Friday June 26
Practice 1: 7:30 a.m ET
Practice 2: 11:00 a.m ET
Saturday June 27
Practice 3: 6:30 a.m ET
Qualifying: 10:00 a.m ET
Sunday June 28
Race: 9:00 a.m ET
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