ITV’s coverage of the Tour de France is set to end after next season after Warner Bros Discovery struck a deal with organisers ASO and the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) for exclusive rights.
The deal was part of a larger package that extended Discovery+/Eurosport’s commitment to broadcasting cycling as rights were agreed across Europe through to 2030. It also includes exclusive rights to the Tour de France Femmes in Ireland and Norway, plus exclusive rights to the men’s and women’s Vuelta a España in Norway and the Netherlands.
While Discovery and co. are understandably delighted with this development, it comes at the cost of ITV’s Tour de France coverage – and free-to-air coverage of the Tour entirely in the UK (free-to-air coverage will continue in Europe).
Stalwart of the ITV show Matt Rendell took to Twitter to respond to the news:
I guess you’ll have heard the news, that 2025 is to be ITV’s last Tour de France. Surprised (no free-to-air for London 2027??). Slightly in shock. No Gary presenting the Tour. Hard to believe.
— Matt Rendell @mattrendell@indieweb.social (@mrendell) October 25, 2024
Rendell also added that it’s not just the live show, it looks to be the end for the nightly highlights programme too.
While ITV has yet to comment on the matter, GCN's Dan Lloyd has reported that ITV did not even bid for the rights:
I understand that ITV did not bid for the live rights, and nor did any other UK free-to-view broadcasters.
— Daniel Lloyd (@daniellloyd1) October 25, 2024
Also sounds like WBD will make a big effort to ensure long form highlights will be available, free to view, somewhere. https://t.co/1q6BaB7Ifo
This page will be updated with more details and fallout if/when it comes through.
We'll always have the theme tune…
