BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news
As predicted by BikeBiz (on this website and in the December mag) Channel 4 has decided to scrap its coverage of The Tour de France.
The broadcaster cheesed people off last year by throwing the Tour all over the late-night schedules but this year wont even be doing that. Instead Channel 4 will concentrate on covering the Ashes.
However, because last year Channel 4 signed a four-year rights deal with the European Broadcasting Union, the broadcaster has to either find another telly company to take on the rights or it will have to keep on paying the EBU.
It is believed both BBC2 and Channel 5 have turned down the offer of taking on the Tour. Sky may step in to show a highlights programme but would not go head-to-head with Eurosport
Channel 4 has covered the Tour de France for 15 years.
Phil Liggett is currently in Malaysia covering the Tour de Langkawi so were unable to get a response from him. We have, however, emailed him.
