Disney to keep Formula One TV rights at 1,500% premium as popularity surges

Walt Disney Co. renewed its deal to show Formula One races in the US, paying at least a 1,500% premium to hold on to the sport as its popularity surges, according to a person familiar with the deal.

The company will pay between $75 million and $90 million a year for the rights as part of a three-year deal, said the person, who asked not to be identified because the talks are private. Disney had been paying about $5 million a year under its previous deal, the person said.

Disney will show most of the car races on the TV networks ABC