Apple Targets US Rights to The Open
AI-generated image · US National Wire
The streaming giant is eyeing a bid for the golf championship as the R&A prepares for a formal tender process next year.
Apple TV has entered preliminary discussions with the R&A regarding the US broadcast rights for The Open, according to reporting from The Guardian. The current rights agreement, held by NBC and media company Versant (operators of the Golf Channel), is set to expire in 2028.
The R&A expects the formal tender process to begin early next year. While a spokesperson for the R&A noted a successful partnership with NBC and Versant, the organization confirmed it will monitor the evolving broadcast landscape. The Guardian reports that Apple is not the only streaming entity interested; Netflix and Amazon are also expected to challenge traditional broadcasters for the rights.
This move comes as Apple continues to refine its US sports portfolio. Per The Guardian, the company recently secured a five-year, $750 million exclusive deal for Formula One rights in the US. However, Apple's foray into sports has seen mixed results; a 10-year, $2.5 billion agreement for Major League Soccer was terminated three years early due to poor viewership. Despite that setback, a source familiar with Apple's strategy told The Guardian that the company remains committed to investing in sports rights and is actively searching for the right properties.