Apple TV+ in top shows for 2025, offers $150 million for Formula 1
Apple’s original programming has secured a spot among the top 5 most-watched streaming series for the first time, reports Bloomberg. According to Nielsen data, Apple TV+ was one of the five most-watched original streaming platforms in the U.S. in the first half of 2025. Netflix dominated the top 5 with three of the top four spots, and Amazon’s Reacher achieved a strong second place. With the second season of Severance, Apple was able to assert itself alongside these long-standing competitors for the first time.
Nielsen rankings are based on total minutes watched and represent only the US audience, taking into account viewership on smart TVs and select devices. The most-watched series in the US in the first half of 2025 were:
- Squid Game (Netflix), 15,074 million minutes
- Reacher (Prime Video), 13,313 million minutes
- The Night Agent (Netflix), 12,219 million minutes
- Ginny & Georgia (Netflix), 10,201 million minutes
- Severance (Apple TV+), 9,275 million minutes
- 1923 (Paramount+), 8,536 million minutes
- The Pitt (Max), 8,227 million minutes
- The Handmaid’s Tale (Hulu), 8,165 million minutes
- You (Netflix), 8,097 million minutes
- Landman (Paramount+), 7,826 million minutes
Apple’s rise in the rankings is consistent with a broader trend: Netflix’s share of the most-watched streaming titles fell from over 80% in 2021 to just under 50% in the first half of 2025. These figures reflect increasing competition from platforms such as Amazon, HBO, Hulu, Paramount+, and Apple TV+, which have all placed series in the top 10 so far this year. Disney+, on the other hand, has not had a single original series in the Nielsen top 10.
While Netflix is the most consistent producer of hits overall, offering more successful series than any other service, its share of total streaming viewers has stagnated. Nielsen reported that total streaming consumption in the US increased by 6% year-over-year in the first half of 2025, but Netflix’s share of this growth remained unchanged. Free, ad-supported platforms such as YouTube, Tubi, and the Roku Channel are increasingly gaining viewers from both traditional television and paid subscription services.
Apple does not disclose subscriber numbers for Apple TV+, but Ampere Analysis estimated in May that the service has over 60 million paying users worldwide, with the strongest growth over the past 12 months in North America and Western Europe. Apple has renewed Severance for a third season.
Apple TV+ with $150 million bid for Formula 1
Apple is also involved in another major streaming project: Formula 1. Thanks to a $150 million bid, it’s almost certain that the company will secure the rights to stream Formula 1 races on Apple TV+ in the US, reports Business Insider.
The rights to broadcast Formula 1 in the US currently belong to Disney’s ESPN. According to sources familiar with the negotiations, Disney is apparently unwilling to match or even beat Apple TV+’s offer. ESPN pays around $85 million annually for the current rights, just over half of Apple’s recent offer.
Interest from other interested parties, such as Netflix, has also reportedly been “muted,” making Apple TV+ the leading bidder for the US rights to broadcast the races. This will likely allow Apple to stream another sport on Apple TV+ next year, in addition to Major League Baseball and Major League Soccer.
„F1: The Movie“ has already grossed over $300 million
Apple’s move to acquire the rights to stream Formula 1 comes amid the success of “F1: The Movie,” Apple’s first major box office hit, which has already grossed over $300 million worldwide. The film is expected to be available on Apple TV+ later in 2025.
According to Variety, the film grossed $146 million worldwide in its opening weekend and has since surpassed $300 million worldwide, surpassing both Ridley Scott’s “Napoleon” ($221 million) and Martin Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon” ($158 million) as Apple’s highest-grossing box office hits to date. Two of Apple’s films, “Fly Me to the Moon” ($42 million) and “Argylle” ($96 million), however, fell significantly short of expectations.
IMAX screenings contributed significantly to revenue, accounting for $60 million worldwide, or approximately 20% of total ticket sales. Outside of the US and Canada, where Formula 1 has grossed $109.5 million to date, the top-grossing international markets include China ($22 million), the UK ($17.3 million), Mexico ($12.3 million), France ($11.5 million), and Australia ($9.8 million).
Formula 1 production costs are estimated at over $250 million, with another $100 million reportedly added for marketing costs. Although the film’s box office revenue exceeded that of Apple’s previous theatrical releases, the total receipts are below the estimated break-even point for a film with such a high overall budget.
Box office revenue is typically split between studios and exhibitors, with studios often receiving around 50% of domestic ticket sales and a smaller share overseas. Therefore, it is unlikely that “F1: The Movie” will be a major success. has already fully recouped its investment through movie ticket sales.
By the way, a new Apple TV is expected to arrive this year.
