A month has passed since TNT Sports took over the UK’s cycling coverage, leaving Eurosport a distant memory. With rising costs, fans are grappling with a new, more expensive way to watch live cycling in the UK.
The conversation surrounding cycling broadcasting in the UK remains one of the most talked-about topics among cycling enthusiasts. From group chats to club rides, almost every conversation seems to lead to one question: “How are you watching cycling now? Have you subscribed to TNT Sports?”
Even Cycling Weekly’s posts are dominated by questions about access to live events. The buzz about the UK hosting the 2027 Tours de France is quickly overshadowed by the concern about how fans can view it on television. This shift is understandable, as the experience of following cycling in the UK has become increasingly challenging.
For UK and Irish fans, the new reality of cycling coverage mirrors the struggles experienced by cycling fans in the US, where accessing pro cycling has become more expensive or difficult. Meanwhile, fans in cycling heartlands like Belgium, France, and Italy still enjoy free coverage—a luxury those outside of these regions might wish to hold onto for as long as they can.
For TNT Sports subscribers, the experience feels oddly familiar. As a subscriber myself, I’m left with questions. Watching cycling on TNT seems largely unchanged from its previous home on Discovery+. Commentators like Carlton Kirby and Rob Hatch remain, with Orla Chennaoui and Adam Blythe still anchoring the studio on major race days. But despite paying more, the viewing experience doesn’t feel like a 343% improvement.
While TNT offers access to a wider range of sports, for cycling fans like me, the additional content doesn’t add value. I wasn’t watching the Champions League or Premiership Rugby before, and I’m not suddenly interested now. Cycling might be listed alongside these bigger sports, but I doubt casual fans will tune into the Tour of Flanders on TNT Sports 1 just by chance. My expectations are low.
The introduction of the free-to-air “Ultimate Cycling Show” on Quest and Discovery+ is another addition, but it raises more questions than answers. The show seems too niche for casual viewers and not specialized enough for dedicated cycling fans. Featuring former rugby union player Ugo Monye and retired track and field athlete Christine Ohuruogu, the show doesn’t feel like a natural fit for cycling content. It seems like an attempt to appease fans upset by the price hike, but it doesn’t resonate with the core cycling audience. Furthermore, free-to-air highlights are sparse and inconsistent. Events like Paris-Roubaix and the men’s Giro d’Italia are covered, but other key races, like the Giro Donne or Paris-Roubaix Femmes, are left out. This limited coverage hardly feels like enough.
As conversations continue, fans report a variety of ways to watch cycling—some have found deals, while others have discovered ways to watch without subscribing. However, few seem willing to pay the full price for TNT Sports. This is reflected in the nearly 90% of those we polled who said they wouldn’t sign up.
While the most dedicated fans are still seeking access, my concern lies with the casual viewers. Those who once switched on Eurosport or ITV4 to watch cycling at peak times without any hassle might now find it too much of a burden. This could lead to a lost generation of cycling fans—an audience that simply won’t bother with the new complexities of watching cycling on TV.
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