TV rights for TdF.

[mjr]

Watched most of the C5 highlights last night, as expected it was nowhere near the ITV4 / C4 level of production but vastly superior to the TNT / D+ / ES version. Picking the key parts of the action, breaking them up with some voice over stuff but still just the chunks of TNT commentary. It will be useful on days where I can't watch live coverage but that's about it. At least it keeps it alive for the wider public though which is probably the most important role C4 and ITV4 played although without the other bits that gave it colour and probably made it more enjoyable for the casual viewer.

Yes, it's better than the eurosport version which aired on quest and sibling channels, with Rebecca Charlton's introductions giving some explanations which are missing from the other version, but there are still a lot of things which will confuse viewers who are new to watching cycle racing. For example, the onscreen graphics show the provisional results and then there's no explanation when they're revised and it changes the result slightly. So I think this year's coverage will be good for retaining audience ready for next year's UK start, but it's probably not going to encourage & keep new viewers who spotted it higher up the channel list and decided to give it a go. It's going to seem a bit baffling to them, like football with simple "a passes to b is tackled by c" commentary and no explanation of tactics or fouls, or replays.

 

[misforturob]

Likewise, I thought the C5 highlights were fine, not up to ITV/C4 standard but gave enough context around the pictures they were showing.
Interesting that in their app it was 3rd (IIRC) most popular programme too

 

[MadMalx]

C5 ….
Interesting that in their app it was 3rd (IIRC) most popular programme too

It’s quite a low bar though. I don’t think I’ve ever watched anything on C5 before.

 

[mjr]

It’s quite a low bar though. I don’t think I’ve ever watched anything on C5 before.

"Where Did the 1970s All Creatures Great Interceptors Rich List All Go Wrong?" didn't attract you? 😉

Or famous cyclist Jeremy Vine with Z listers, desperates and the public speaking their branes? It's a mystery why the Tour is rating so high(!)

 

[straas]

Are there any alternatives to channel 5 highlights? I'm really not enjoying them - taking the shine off this year's tour to be honest.

 

[GnarlyCrank]

The official youtube channel has extended highlights: https://www.youtube.com/@LeTourDeFrance

 

[TakeTheHighRoad]

Are there any alternatives to channel 5 highlights? I'm really not enjoying them - taking the shine off this year's tour to be honest.

If you've got a VPN, SBS do a good highlights show

 

[Dan Lotus]

If you've got a VPN, SBS do a good highlights show

And the full stages too.

 

[Dirk Van Der Dirk]

And the full stages too.

I switch to SBS when the race is finished as I prefer to see the riders and presentations rather than watch the TNT clowns. When eurosport had the tdf we had people at the finish line interviewing riders live and we used to see the presentations live. Now on TNT we are lucky if we see one presentation and when we do its recorded with them talking over it.