Unlawful bike race streaming surges high - is high-end transmission boosting the sport or fostering piracy?

In the world of sports, cycling is experiencing a significant transformation in its broadcasting landscape.

European countries, such as those in the European Union, offer free cycling coverage through public broadcasters. However, it's important to note that Eurosport 1 and 2 still exist in 50 countries, albeit not providing coverage for every race. Meanwhile, in the UK, Discovery, Inc., the company currently holding the exclusive rights to broadcast cycling races, has acquired the UK broadcasting rights under TNT Sports. This service is now available on the platform discovery+.

The average lifespan of a current Tour de France team has never been longer in the history of the sport, a testament to the growing stability within the cycling industry. However, the revenue generated from broadcasting rights does not directly benefit the cycling teams. Instead, the impact is felt by the broadcasters themselves, who are trying to encourage subscriptions to multiple sports, including cycling.

The Women's World Cup in 2027 is set to be free-to-air on the BBC and ITV, a move aimed at increasing accessibility and fan engagement. Women's football has seen a 56% increase in participation in four years, with some matches behind paywalls but the biggest ones currently free-to-air.

In the UK, certain sporting events are protected under the Media Act 2024 as being in the national interest and must be available on "fair and reasonable terms" to free-to-air channels. Unfortunately, cycling is not included in this list, leading to concerns among fans about the rising costs and potential for piracy.

The new monthly subscription cost for TNT Sports is £30.99, a significant increase compared to the previous £6.99 a month GCN+ subscription or £39.99 per year for Eurosport. This price hike, coupled with concerns about coverage quality, has caused discontent among fans, leading some to consider pirate streams or turning away from cycling altogether.

One of the most popular illegal streaming platforms among disgruntled fans is Tiz Cycling, known for its lower cost and the absence of ad breaks during races. However, accessing pirate streams can lead to data theft, identity theft, malware, and fraud, as well as potential criminal prosecution.

Despite these challenges, the opportunity that Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) affords cycling is greater than ever before. With the potential to reach 110 million TNT Sports and Max accounts worldwide, the future of cycling broadcasting could see a significant shift towards greater accessibility and international reach.

As we move towards the 2024 season, Cillian Kelly concluded that men's pro cycling is more stable than ever. However, the ongoing discussions about free-to-air coverage and the impact of piracy on the sport will continue to be key topics of conversation in the cycling community.