Streaming Cycling in UK - Discovery+ prices!

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steverob

Guru
Location
Buckinghamshire
I'm in a slightly different boat to most on here in that I already have the full TNT Sports package, cause we're a sports-centric household and couldn't be doing without our 24/7 Fitba coverage (no joke that Sky Sports News is probably our most watched channel). Plus as I get it through BT (even though it's on my Sky box) I pay the "bargain" price of £28.06 per month apparently.

The irony is though, that over the past few months I've been considering ditching this package and only having Sky Sports, as they cover more of the sports or leagues that we follow - we'd still get 80% of the football, a large chunk of the cricket, NFL and F1, plus I'd assumed that I'd have Eurosport for cycling. Now it looks like that plan isn't doable any more.

Also a little concerned that they're scrapping two Eurosport channels, but are keeping it at the current four TNT Sports channels, so that means they're squeezing the schedules of six into four. Now I know that TNT 3 & 4 don't exactly have their biggest sports on them currently, but there are going to be clashes here and there and do we really think that live coverage of a 6+ hour TdF stage is going to always beat out highlights of tractor racing from Arkansas (or what have you) - after all we've seen what happens on Quest from time to time?
 

Dogtrousers

Kilometre nibbler

Cycling fans report Warner Bros. Discovery to market regulator for “abuse of monopoly” and “price gouging” after moving cycling behind £30.99-a-month paywall, as Tory MP slams “terrible decision”

...
Warner Bros. Discovery’s controversial decision to close down Eurosport in the UK and move its cycling coverage to the £30.99-a-month TNT Sports channel has been reported to the Competition and Markets Authority by disgruntled fans, who argue the move is an abuse of the company’s monopoly position and constitutes price gouging.

Well I'm no expert but I'm not going to hold my breath
 

Dogtrousers

Kilometre nibbler
I wonder what Ineos think about all this?

It will undeniably mean fewer viewers - less brand exposure in the UK, even if they are viewers paying more.

I chose Ineos as they're the only UK focused brand sponsoring a big team (that springs to mind, I've probably missed some others). Intermarche, Visma, Soudal etc probably aren't so fussed as they aren't targeting the UK market. Redbull, Emirates and other global brands might have an interest.
 

Paulus

Started young, and still going.
Location
Barnet,
I'm in a slightly different boat to most on here in that I already have the full TNT Sports package, cause we're a sports-centric household and couldn't be doing without our 24/7 Fitba coverage (no joke that Sky Sports News is probably our most watched channel). Plus as I get it through BT (even though it's on my Sky box) I pay the "bargain" price of £28.06 per month apparently.

The irony is though, that over the past few months I've been considering ditching this package and only having Sky Sports, as they cover more of the sports or leagues that we follow - we'd still get 80% of the football, a large chunk of the cricket, NFL and F1, plus I'd assumed that I'd have Eurosport for cycling. Now it looks like that plan isn't doable any more.

Also a little concerned that they're scrapping two Eurosport channels, but are keeping it at the current four TNT Sports channels, so that means they're squeezing the schedules of six into four. Now I know that TNT 3 & 4 don't exactly have their biggest sports on them currently, but there are going to be clashes here and there and do we really think that live coverage of a 6+ hour TdF stage is going to always beat out highlights of tractor racing from Arkansas (or what have you) - after all we've seen what happens on Quest from time to time?

Also, how about all the one day races and classics that happen during the week, or on Saturdays and sundays. How would they fit those 5/6 hours races into their schedules?
 

the_mikey

Legendary Member
As much as I like to scroll social media and barely glance at the tv out of pure excitement for the possibility that Pog or Rog might be racing and someone might win, I have to consider that the background noise to that situation could be almost anything and paying more money means I would actually have to watch all the racing, I'll find new things to fill that time with for sure.
 

rualexander

Legendary Member
Also, how about all the one day races and classics that happen during the week, or on Saturdays and sundays. How would they fit those 5/6 hours races into their schedules?

Presumably as online streams the same way that everything is currently on Discovery+
 
Look on the bright side - at least highlights of the Tour of Britain will still be on ITV 😳

But if the otehr races are not on the TV then interest in the races will slowly stop

First few years it will be OK but then the cyclists who come up will not have any heroes to watch on TV and some interest will slow down

and if the crowds start to dwindle then the sponsors and advertisers will get twitchy
and the prices the TV company can charge will drop

and so on and so on
and after while the TV coverage will stop
then people will think "What Tour of Britain" cycle race is this that they are closing half the town off for - and the route becomes more difficult to arrange

and so it all drops out

WHat we need is Carlton to switch to football commentary

then the viewing public will want to find a new sport to watch and some will come to cycling and the crowds will increase
especially if they broadcast the matches with Carlton commentating on days when the race is on!!!

(sorry Carlton - I actually like listening to you - not sure that puts me in a majority though!)
 
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