No hope for free-to-air Tour de France in UK as government finds the right balance that allows to "maximise broadcasting revenue"

The end of Tour de France on ITV was a huge shock for British fans of cycling as that means either they'll be either forced to pay for pricey subscriptions, or settle to just race highlights. Last hope was that the British government would step in to find a solution, but that option is clearly off the table.

The Department for Culture, Media, and Sport responded to a petition launched at the start of April by cycling YouTuber Peter Treadway, who attracted way over the neccessary 10.000 signatures, legally prompting the Department to formally respond:

"The government recognises concerns raised about losing free-to-air coverage of the Tour de France," the response began. "Ensuring live cycling can be enjoyed by a wide-reaching audience is important to growing the sport and inspiring the next generation of cyclists. Professional cycling, in particular the Tour de France, captivates fans with its exciting races and inspires people across the country to get on their bikes every weekend."

"That said, broadcasting rights also provide essential income for sporting National Governing Bodies (NGBs) and event organisers, including British Cycling, which enables them to invest in better facilities for participants and spectators, improve elite performance, hire the best coaches, and keep up with mounting competition."

"NGBs, including British Cycling, need to consider the trade-offs between visibility, access to live cycling events and maximising broadcasting revenue. It is important to get the balance right, and that balance is for each sport’s NGB to determine."

Turning its attention to the issue of broadcasting rights for the Tour, and Treadway’s call for the race to be listed as a 'Category A' sporting event alongside the FA Cup final and Grand National, the government said: "All UK broadcasters are operationally and editorially independent of the government. Therefore, decisions relating to coverage of particular sporting events - including the Tour de France - are ultimately a commercial decision for the relevant broadcaster and/or the rights holder of the specific sporting event."

"The current listed events regime is designed to ensure that sporting events of national significance are available to as wide an audience as possible, by prohibiting exclusive broadcasting of the event without prior consent from Ofcom. The Broadcasting Act 1996 gives the Secretary of State for DCMS the power to draw up a list of sporting events of 'national interest.'"