Apple is said to have held preliminary talks regarding the American broadcast rights to The Open. The organizer has not confirmed this and refers to its existing partners. Viewers in German-speaking countries are not under consideration for the rights anyway.
After Formula 1, Apple is apparently looking for its next sport. According to a report in the British daily newspaper The Guardian, the company has been in talks with the R&A about acquiring the US rights to the world's oldest golf tournament. This news fits a pattern: Apple recently secured the exclusive Formula 1 broadcast rights for the United States, while Sky prematurely extended its contract for key European markets. An entry into golf would follow the same pattern.
Key Facts at a Glance
- According to a newspaper report, Apple has held preliminary talks regarding the US rights to The Open.
- Netflix and Amazon are also considered potential buyers for the rights package.
- The organizer R&A does not confirm Apple by name and emphasizes the partnership with the existing broadcasters.
- It would only concern the American market – German-language rights are not affected.
- In Germany and Austria, the tournament will be broadcast on Sky, and that will not change.
What the report states
The Open Championship was first held in Scotland in 1860 and is the oldest of the four major tournaments in men's golf. In the United States, it is often called the British Open to distinguish it from the US Open, which is held there. It is organized by the R&A.
The current US rights belong to NBC, which won a bidding process against ESPN in 2017 and signed a twelve-year contract. These rights are shared with Versant, the operator of the Gulf Channel.
According to a report in The Guardian, Apple has held preliminary talks with the R&A regarding a bid. The newspaper cites a source familiar with Apple's plans and writes that the company remains committed to investing in sports rights and continues to seek suitable opportunities.
How reliable is the report?
When evaluating the R&A, it's worth taking a close look at what the organizer actually said. In its statement, the R&A highlights its collaboration with NBC and Versant, announces discussions with these existing partners for the next US media cycle, and generally refers to the interest of other parties.
Apple is not mentioned in the report. This confirmation only supports the idea that a rights cycle is underway and that several interested parties exist – not that Apple is actively negotiating. According to the report, Netflix and Amazon are also considered competitors.
Furthermore, there's the procedural logic to consider: A host organization that is about to negotiate with its current partner benefits if it becomes known that financially strong streaming providers are showing interest. This doesn't invalidate the report, but it does put it into context.
Apple's sports portfolio remains regionally fragmented
The crucial point for readers in this country is the reach: Apple's sports rights are predominantly limited to one market.
| Competition | Apple TV reach | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Formula 1 | only USA | Exclusively since 2026 |
| MLS | worldwide | no extra charge included in the subscription |
| Friday Night Baseball | selected markets | Free until 2028 |
| The Open | In discussion, only USA | unconfirmed |
MLS is the exception, not the rule. Apple secured exclusive rights to Formula 1 for the United States, and this same model would be appropriate for the golf major. Such an agreement would not change anything for viewers in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
Who is showing The Open in this country?
Sky holds the German-language rights to the tournament. The broadcaster airs all four men's majors and retained this position even after losing the rights to the PGA Tour and DP World Tour to MagentaTV at the turn of the year.
For golf fans, this has meant a divided landscape since the beginning of 2026: Weekly tour golf is shown on MagentaTV, while the majors are on Sky. Anyone wanting to watch both needs two subscriptions. Sky also broadcasts the tournament in Austria.
Apple's access to the American market would not change this division. The situation would only be different if the company were to participate in the next European rights cycle – and there is currently no indication of that.
Golf has already arrived at Apple
The sport has long been represented in the Apple ecosystem. The Apple Sports app has been tracking golf scores and the DFB Cup since February, including for users in Germany.
This is more than just a side note. Results services don't incur any rights fees and work worldwide – for Apple, they offer an affordable way to gauge interest in a sport before discussing broadcasting rights. Anyone wanting to follow the sport within the Apple ecosystem can already do so, just without video.
Why Apple is even looking in this direction
Sports have proven to be a growth driver for the streaming service: in 2025, Apple TV recorded a significant increase, largely due to sports content. Live broadcasts generate bookings, and bookings retain subscribers more effectively than a series season that, once watched, offers no further reason to stay.
A golf major is an unusually well-suited format for this. It lasts four days, fills long broadcast slots, and appeals to a paying audience. We expect Apple to explore further rights packages of this kind in the coming years, rather than focusing on a single major league – the Formula 1 involvement wasn't an anomaly, but the start of a pattern that can be repeated with every available cycle.
The European rights to major competitions are awarded separately and at different times, which is why the current pattern is likely to continue as a patchwork rather than a unified offering. A global Apple sports channel is therefore not on the horizon.
Where the golf strand will be next
The only confirmed fact so far is that the R&A is preparing for the next US rights cycle and several providers have expressed interest. Whether Apple will submit a bid will only become clear once negotiations with its current partners are concluded. Until then, the tournament will remain on German-language screens exactly where it has been for years. (Image: Apple)
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