ITV has lost the UK broadcasting rights to the Tour de France after 25 years, with Channel 5 stepping in to provide free-to-air coverage. The change comes as part of a broader shift in sports broadcasting rights, following the BBC's loss of other events.
New Home for the Tour de France
ITV had been the home of Tour de France coverage in the UK since 2001, offering terrestrial highlights and live coverage in recent years. However, ahead of the 2026 edition, the rights were acquired by TNT Sports, which has since partnered with Channel 5 for free-to-air highlights.
Channel 5 will now show daily highlights of the Tour de France, Tour de France Femmes, Vuelta a Espana, and Giro d'Italia as part of a multi-year deal with TNT Sports. The partnership covers the Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes from 2026 to 2028, the Vuelta a Espana from 2026 to 2028, and the Giro d'Italia from 2027 to 2029.
Live Coverage in the UK
In 2027, Le Grand Depart (the start of the race) will be held in Edinburgh, marking the first time the event has been in the UK since 2014. Channel 5 will provide live coverage of this historic return, alongside TNT Sports' comprehensive live broadcasts.
Reemah Sakaan, President of Channel 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. Our daily highlights show for the Tour de France will be available to everyone at 7pm each evening this July."
Background and Future Plans
The 2026 Tour de France begins on July 4 in Barcelona, with live coverage on TNT Sports and the HBO Max streaming platform. Warner Bros Discovery, owner of TNT Sports, secured the rights after more than two decades of ITV coverage.
Scott Young, WBD executive vice president of production, said: "By combining a strong free-to-air highlights offering with our comprehensive live coverage, we are delivering unprecedented access to the sport across every platform. Cycling is one of the most compelling sports in the world, featuring extraordinary athletes and unforgettable moments, and it's important that those stories are shared with the widest possible audience."
The deal ensures that the Tour de France remains accessible to a wide audience, with free-to-air highlights on Channel 5 and extensive live coverage on TNT Sports.
