Paramount-owned UK broadcaster 5 has agreed a deal with Warner Bros. Discovery’s TNT Sports to become the UK home of free-TV highlights of the Tour de France. It takes over free-to-air coverage of the world’s biggest bike race from ITV.
TNT Sports has the exclusive rights to the race, the most prestigious event in the cycling calendar. The deal with 5 (fka ‘Channel 5’) means the free-TV channel gets Tour de France highlights as well as those from the Vuelta a Espana (Tour of Spain) and Giro d’Italia (Tour of Italy). That gives it a clean sweep of cycling’s three grand tours.
Historically, Channel 4 showed highlights while full stages and broader coverage was with Eurosport, which has been branded TNT Sports in the UK. ITV then took over free-to-air coverage, but opted not to bid for the rights in the most recent tender process, allowing TNT Sports to land the full package.
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TNT’s slick coverage is held in high regard among cycling fans, but many have been unhappy about a whopping price hike that followed Eurosport’s rebrand as TNT Sports. Cycling events were available for £6.99 ($9.38) on the Eurosport Player. Post rebrand, cycling fans have to stump up £30.99 ($41.56) a month to watch the big events.
TNT said there was a competitive tender process for the rights package. The 5 move sees two soon-to-be corporate siblings join forces. 5 is owned by Paramount, which is in the process of merging with Warner Bros. Discovery, owner of TNT Sports.
The free-TV coverage on 5 begins with highlights of the Tour de France’s Grand Départ from Barcelona on July 4. It will be fronted by leading sports presenter and journalist Rebecca Charlton.
Crucially, the multiyear deal means Channel 5 has 2027 highlights locked in. It will be a landmark year for British cycling, as the Tour de France’s Grand Départ returns to the UK and stages will be held across Scotland, England and Wales. 5 will have live coverage of the Grand Départ.
5
Reemah Sakaan, President, 5, said: “The Grand Tours are the most prestigious cycling events in the world, watched and adored by millions, and we are delighted that 5 will be their new free-to-air home in the UK.”
Scott Young, EVP, Warner Bros. Discovery Sports Europe, added: “Expanding reach and engaging new audiences across our rights portfolio remains a key strategic priority, and partnerships such as this play an important role in achieving that ambition.”
Specifically, 5 will have free-to-air highlights in the UK for the Tour de France (2026–2028), Vuelta a España (2026–2028), and Giro d’Italia (2027–2029).
