Thursday marks the final broadcast day of Eurosport in the UK, a channel that has been synonymous with professional cycling for over 30 years. From tomorrow, live cycling coverage will move to the more expensive TNT Sports, signaling the end of an era for cycling enthusiasts.
Eurosport has long been a fixture on TV listings, offering an array of niche sports at the drop of a hat—ski biathlon, rallying, snooker—often from events you’d never hear about elsewhere. But to many, including myself, it was the home of cycling, bringing the heart of the sport to viewers’ screens year after year.
While ITV provided coverage of the Tour de France, it was on Eurosport that I first experienced the breadth of the cycling season. From the spring Classics to the Giro d’Italia, the channel offered live coverage that made me fall in love with the sport. Although I sometimes grew tired of certain commentators, Eurosport’s cycling coverage remained an ever-present distraction, a source of joy for cycling fans like me.
Growing up, my parents didn’t have a sports TV package, and to this day, I’m not sure how I became so drawn to sport in the first place. Without Sky Sports or other premium packages, Eurosport was my only option. It became the gateway to my obsession with cycling—an addiction that would grow over the years, despite having never had access to other sports like cricket or football on TV.
Eurosport wasn’t just a channel; it was an education. Watching bike races transported me to different regions—Flanders, Italy, France—allowing me to discover their geography and topography in a way that no other sport could offer. It was the perfect introduction to professional cycling, and through it, I became captivated by the intricacies of the sport.
As I moved away from home, Eurosport remained a constant in my life. With an affordable subscription, I was able to watch cycling non-stop, no matter where I was. I vividly remember watching Peter Sagan win his first World Championships while my university flatmates were preoccupied with more typical student activities. Later, as I entered the workforce, cycling found a place on a second screen in the office—long before I became a cycling journalist and watching races became a legitimate work task.
Interestingly, it was my early obsession with watching cycling that eventually led me to take up the sport myself. Events like Tom Dumoulin’s 2017 Giro victory, alongside the string of Quick-Step riders dominating the Classics, made me realize that cycling was something I wanted to be a part of. I’m far from alone in this regard; many who now work in cycling, or even ride professionally, have similar stories.
While Eurosport eventually evolved into GCN+ and provided even more cycling coverage through a dedicated app, there was always something special about the original Eurosport broadcast. It was unpredictable—one moment, you’d be watching the thrilling Paris-Roubaix, and the next, you’d be switched to a tennis match you didn’t care about. It was chaotic but uniquely charming.
As of tomorrow, however, all of this changes. TNT Sports will become the new home of cycling in the UK and Ireland, but with a significant price tag. The affordable Eurosport/GCN+/Discovery+ subscription that cycling fans once relied on will now be replaced by a £30.99 per month subscription—an increase of 343% for those used to the Discovery+ package. For those who previously enjoyed Eurosport as part of a regular TV package, this shift marks a major blow to the sport’s accessibility in the UK.
In a press release this week, Scott Young, the group SVP for content, production, and business operations at WBD Sports Europe, emphasized TNT Sports’ commitment to cycling. Yet, for many, the substantial price hike feels like a significant barrier.
With TNT Sports now broadcasting events like Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, the shift to the new era has begun. But as much as TNT Sports promises to offer more cycling content, it’s hard to shake the feeling that Eurosport—once the definitive home of the sport—will be sorely missed. TNT Sports is known more for its football and rugby coverage than its cycling offerings, making this transition feel abrupt.
As we bid farewell to Eurosport, I can’t help but feel nostalgic for the channel that introduced me to the world of cycling. It’s hard to imagine a future where cycling isn’t as easily accessible as it once was. So, after 36 years, it’s time to say goodbye. Farewell, Eurosport, and thank you for everything.
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