Friday’s announcement from SBS that they have secured the exclusive rights to the Tour de France, along with a range of other premier European cycling races, is much welcomed news for Australian cycling fans.
Cycling is continuing to grow as a hugely popular sport in Australia, and the quality coverage produced by the specialist broadcaster each year has been fundamental in the popularity of the sport.
Not only do SBS expertly bring us three glorious weeks of racing from France, they bring us the Giro d’Italia, Vuelta a Espana and a host of the Spring Classics, such as Paris-Roubaix.
It is important SBS have retained the rights to the Tour de France, not just for those of us who happen to like their broadcast and fear another broadcaster would ‘ruin’ our July viewing, but it is essential an event like the Tour de France stays on free-to-air television.
It is imperative the world’s premier sporting events be available for all viewers to be moved, inspired and entertained by and the only way to do this is to ensure they remain on free-to-air television.
If we want our kids to grow up developing a love of sport that will encourage them to lead healthy and active lives, then surely having the opportunity to watch sport and dream of sporting success is paramount.
If we allow sporting events to move exclusively to pay television, our society will be the poorer for it and it isn’t just sports that involve exclusive participation from Australian national teams that should be protected.
Many of SBS’s viewers during the Tour de France may not be able to name any cyclist other than Cadel Evans, however without the SBS telecast there is no way Australia’s emerging riders and team, Orica-GreenEDGE, can get the exposure to ensure they too become household names.
Interestingly, pay television subscriptions have been reported to be on a downward trend.
From this we may contend a number of things, but perhaps we can draw conclusions that consumers are not prepared to pay for sport, which has traditionally been free on Australian television.
Watching sport is as much a part of Australian society as participating in sport. In fact, many of us are more in the sports watching camp than the sports participation camp and this is not necessarily a bad thing.
And at the risk of sounding a little Bolshie or left wing, since when should our access to sport be based on our class or our means to pay for subscription television?
Could you imagine if the Olympics or the Commonwealth Games were no longer accessible on free-to-air television?
What about if you could only watch the Ashes by taking out a subscription to a pay television provider?
Aren’t we all entitled to watch as much AFL or NRL as we can possibly consume or is it only the wealthy who have the right to take joy in sport?
SBS’s broadcast of the Tour de France is also more than a sporting event. The broadcast is also a cultural tour through France, its sights, its people and its culinary delights.
The announcement that SBS will continue to exclusively televise the Tour de France is also a nod to its production values in showcasing an event like the Tour de France for Australian viewers.
Yes, SBS are broadcasting the images of the race produced by ASO, but they have packaged the Tour so innovatively, such as Gabriel Gate sharing some of the culinary delights of his homeland with us or David McKenzie riding Mont Ventoux.
And as for those moments of the race itself, well where would we all be if we hadn’t stayed up to cheer on Cadel in 2011 or watch early Aussie cycling pioneers, such as Stuart O’Grady and Robbie McEwen, experiencing Tour success.
We see more than just a sporting event when we watch the Tour de France, we travel on a cultural journey every July, where many of us dream of visiting Europe. For some those dreams will become reality.
How many sporting events can we say that about?
The future of the Tour de France being beamed into our living rooms every July for the next ten years is secured and we can be confident in sharing in the glory of this amazing event for many more years to come.
Elisha Pearce
Guest
I think you'll find the best source of extended highights is on the SBS - Cycling Central website. They show a good portion of each stage in a package there, usually about 1hr long. And especially on the mountain stages they show the last big climb almost entirely.
sittingbison
Guest
"ASO has clearly also done the right thing by Aussie fans in giving SBS the rights for what I’ve heard is below the market rate, due to their long-term loyalty, rather than going for the blatant cash in" Well fancy that Tim, whodathunkit. Thank goodness it wasnt up to Hein and Fat Pat ;)
Tim Renowden
Expert
I'm pretty glad SBS got the rights again, because my experience watching the Tour Down Under on Ch.9 this year made it quite clear what the alternative looks like - and it ain't pretty. We grumble about the Sherliggettisms and the repetitive ads for vitamins, fictitious diseases, and tax accountants, but SBS at least makes a pretty good attempt at giving the fans a good experience (plenty of live coverage, in HD, pretty good colour pieces and interviews, the excellent web/tablet/mobile coverage through its Tour Tracker, very good use of social media which does actually create a community of fans). ASO has clearly also done the right thing by Aussie fans in giving SBS the rights for what I've heard is below the market rate, due to their long-term loyalty, rather than going for the blatant cash in.
liquor box
Guest
I agree with the comments re eurosport, this coverage of cycling is far superior, it is a shame that it was not on this year. Last year was great to have commentators talk about cycling and cycling related things rather than geography, architecture and not being able to get cyclists names right, Richie froome seemed to be a great cyclist this time around. I really despise the TDF coverage we get, the commentary has gone down hill for a while, I don't know if it is through old age but Liggett seems to have a lot of trouble getting his call correct, and this is not to even mention the number of times he made a bold prediction with 50m to go and got it wrong. "Could you imagine if the Olympics or the Commonwealth Games were no longer accessible on free-to-air television? What about if you could only watch the Ashes by taking out a subscription to a pay television provider?" Exclusive pay tv is an issue, but if you do have the means then you should be able to watch what you want. I watched heaps of the last Olympics, but never switched on CH9. All in all SBS getting the cycling rights is fantastic for the sport and for the viewers, but it could easily be better.
GaryGnu
Guest
I would love it if SBS could find a way to broadcast an extended highlights package on one of their secondary channels each day. Its a great way to follow a race in detail while getting sufficient sleep to function normally. Eurosport do it for each race they show, butter the vagaries of sporting rights mean the Tour is the only major race on the calendar where it does not happen. There is a happy medium between the last four or so hours live (late night on OZ east coast) and the 30 minutes morning or evening highlights package.
Kate Smart
Expert
I know that many feel upset by Phil and Paul backing LA, but on the other hand, I think they were as duped as everyone else. I saw an interview with Phil where he was clearly upset by the revelations of LA's cheating and I whilst, I understand your viewpoint, I can't help but think there is another side to it.
Kate Smart
Expert
Oh, the horror, HardcorePrawn. This horrific scenario does not bear thinking about, but thankfully we will saved from this. Vive Le Tour, Vive SBS!!!
sittingbison
Guest
Kate I think it's great SBS have pushed for the rights, and succeeded. They have excellent coverage and are doing a tremendous support of cycling. And thanks for you article, once again well written, informative and thoughtful. The problem with Phil and Paul is although their dulcet tones are as comforting as a cozy dressing gown and slippers they have blotted their copybook with Lance and the rest of the "heroes", and are now gushing insufferably over Sky. SBS should back themselves and back the home grown talent we have seen and heard in recent years.
HardcorePrawn
Guest
Great article Kate, and SBS are to be applauded for keeping the Tour (and my favourite Spring Classic the Paris-Roubaix), long may it continue. Rather than going to Pay TV I was concerned that one of the commercial networks may get hold of it instead. Could you imagine Nine having the rights: Delayed telecasts starting at 3am because there's 5 episodes of Big Bang Theory/Two and a Half Men to show first; Coverage solely devoted to Australian riders at the expense of any non-Australians that may be leading the race or stages; 'Hilarious' mispronunciations of European and South American riders' names; 'Expert' opinion from the crew of both Footy Shows; Commentary from James Brayshaw and 'Slats', with presentation by Eddie McGuire... Doesn't bear thinking about does it?
Matthew Boulden
Roar Guru
Fair enough on Kelly, he is not the most energetic voice around. Not to mention I get the added advantage of everything beginning at the more reasonable times of 8-9pm or so. Though Kirby can sure make up for that when he gets excited, Iljo Keisse's stage victory in the Tour of Turkey is a particularly memorable moment. Fair point on delayed coverage being better then none, as I do have a preference for watching live.
Kate Smart
Expert
Thanks for this Matt, I didn't realise that was the case in WA. I would argue though, that even a delayed coverage is better than no coverage though. As to coverage on Eurosport, I do have to agree that Marcus Backstedt is a very good commentator and I have to say, I could listen to him all day. Sean Kelly though, well to be honest, when you've been following the Giro and living on less than 4 hours sleep a night, he could put an insomniac to sleep! And yes, Carlton Kirby can be a little P&P rolled into one, but not as enjoyable to sit up late at night with.
Matthew Boulden
Roar Guru
From a Western Australian perspective the jury is still out, as outside of the Tour de France SBS' coverage of cycling still leaves a lot to be desired in WA at times. It is all well and good SBS having rights to Amstel Gold Race, as an example, but it is of little benefit to me at the moment whilst SBS have delayed coverage in WA. So I actually have a bit of a bias towards Eurosport, despite the channel being locked behind the gates of Pay TV in Australia. Phil and Paul do a great job helping advertise France with the information about the landmarks and everything. However, I actually prefer Eurosport for commentary when former pros like Magnus Bäckstedt and Sean Kelly are in the chair. Preferably alongside David Harmon and not Carlton Kirby, who is kind of the P&P of ES rolled in to one.
Kate Smart
Expert
Hi Everyone, thanks for the comments on this piece. It's great to know others feel like I do on this one. I would hate to see sport migrating to pay only tv. It's so important for so many reasons that we do all we can to prevent that from happening. As for getting rid of Phil and Paul, Sittingbison, well, we certainly had some robust discussion on that one at the start of the Tour! I say Phil and Paul are like an old uncle at Christmas, sometimes a bit of hard work, but ultimately the occasion just wouldn't be the same without him. Phil and Paul are a little like that, aren't they?
sittingbison
Guest
Now if only they would get rid of the interminable drivel of Phil and Paul, and encourage some of the savvy guys to pick up the microphone
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
'We see more than just a sporting event when we watch the Tour de France, we travel on a cultural journey every July, where many of us dream of visiting Europe. For some those dreams will become reality.' Spot on Kate. Many people in Australia are discovering Europe via SBS coverage of cycling races and many others who have strong ties there also enjoy seeing their country birth or the country of their parents/GP. And it's true that these days the quality of the coverage is just superb. I don't consider myself a big cycling fan but I know I always enjoy watching the 3 big Tours here in Oz, particularly the stages which go through regions I know or am interested in.
zacbrygel
Roar Guru
Great article Kate, I certainly agree it is crucial that as much cycling is on free to air TV for the development of cycling in Australia. Also as you pointed out, SBS is the best at covering all cycling, and I personally couldn't imagine not listening to Paul Sherwen and Phil Ligget during the great month of July. Awesome news.
Chairman Kaga
Guest
Bit of a surprise Murdoch and Packer have not tried to take this away from us. But the warning is for sports if you don't want to go the basketball and now rugby union way, keep away from the temptation of the easy money on pay tv.