"UK broadcasting rights in cycling have changed dramatically in recent years, since the closure of GCN+ in December 2023 and Eurosport earlier this year, as well as the end of 40 years of free-to-air Tour de France coverage on ITV. The landscape now looks very different as Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) owns the exclusive rights to cycling coverage in the UK under TNT Sports, nestled within its platform discovery+."
"It costs £30.99 per month, a sting compared to the previous £6.99 a month GCN+ subscription, or Eurosport at £39.99 per year. This has caused furore amongst fans, with discontent rife not just with the price hike, but also coverage quality and race options for the cost. This is leading some fans to choose between paying up, turning off, or finding illegal pirate streams."
"UK searches for the illegal pirate platform Tiz Cycling are at a five-year high, and grievances over the cost of a TNT Sports subscription and the actual cycling coverage on offer appear to be the drivers for this. TNT Sports is just one example, as in other regions around the world, high-cost subscriptions such as Flobikes in Canada and Peacock in the US, have become some of the only options to watching top-tier cycling."
UK cycling broadcasting rights shifted after the closure of GCN+ in December 2023, the earlier end of Eurosport, and the loss of 40 years of free-to-air Tour de France coverage on ITV. Warner Bros. Discovery now holds exclusive UK rights under TNT Sports, accessible via discovery+ at £30.99 per month versus the prior £6.99 GCN+ or £39.99 per year Eurosport options. Fans report anger over higher costs, reduced coverage quality, and fewer race options, leading some to cancel subscriptions or seek illegal pirate streams. Searches for Tiz Cycling have risen, while regional high-cost services limit legal viewing but may expand overall audience reach.
Read at Cyclingnews
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