Channel 5 has secured a three-year broadcast agreement with Warner Bros.
Discovery, bringing Grand Tour cycling highlights and live coverage of the 2027 UK Grand Départ back to free-to-air television in the United Kingdom.
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The deal, announced on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, ensures that terrestrial viewers can watch an hour-long daily highlights package at 7 p.
m. for the Tour de France and Vuelta a España from 2026 through 2028.
The agreement also covers Giro d'Italia highlights between 2027 and 2029, filling a gap after ITV ended its cycling coverage following Warner Bros.
Discovery's exclusive rights deal in 2024.
In addition to daily summaries, Channel 5 will air live coverage of the opening three stages of both the men's and women's 2027 Tour de France, which are scheduled across England, Scotland, and Wales.
The move follows fan criticism and a parliamentary petition after the races were placed behind a £31-per-month streaming paywall on platforms like HBO Max and TNT Sports.
Executives Welcome Broader Access
Reemah Sakaan, President of Channel 5, expressed enthusiasm about the arrangement.
"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," Sakaan said.
Sakaan noted that the broadcast package would complement other major summer programming, such as the Commonwealth Games.
"Our daily highlights show for the Tour de France will be available to everyone at 7pm each evening this July, and we'll also have daily highlights through both the Vuelta a Espana and the Giro d'Italia for the next three years," she added.
