TORONTO – Sportsnet has cemented it foothold in cycling by securing a six-year agreement for the Canadian multimedia rights to the Tour de France, beginning in 2014 and continuing through to 2019. The new deal includes exclusive Canadian rights for television, digital and mobile, providing an all-access pass to all 21 stages of the world’s most popular cycling race.
With today’s announcement, Sportsnet becomes the exclusive Canadian broadcaster of cycling’s esteemed Grand Tours, made up of the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia and Vuelta a España.
But the Tour de France is still recovering from the aftermath of the International Cycling Union’s ruling this past October to strip Lance Armstrong, 41, of all results since August, 1998 and banned him for life after the United States Anti-Doping Agency's (USADA) investigation into his systematic doping. Armstrong was also given a life ban from USADA for what the organization described as "the most sophisticated, professionalized and successful doping program that sport has ever seen."
“The Tour de France is the ultimate event in cycling,” said Navaid Mansuri, Vice-President of Finance & Sports Programming, Rogers Media. “We are thrilled to partner with the Amaury Sport Organization for the exclusive Canadian rights for this world-class event, which solidifies our commitment to providing fans with premium cycling content across multiple platforms and strengthens Sportsnet’s already robust portfolio of cycling programming.”
“We’re excited to partner with Sportsnet to bring the Tour de France event to cycling enthusiasts in Canada as we do in 190 countries, said Yann Le Moenner, General Manager of Amaury Sport Organization. “Cycling is one of the most popular sports in the world and this agreement will contribute to reinforce the unique connection between Tour de France and its Canadian fans.”
Today’s announcement comes on the heels of Sportsnet’s new agreement to broadcast the inaugural Tour of Alberta, Canada’s first major international stage race taking place from September 3-8, 2013 throughout the province of Alberta. Sportsnet will broadcast more than 150 days of cycling in 2013, including the Giro d’Italia (May 4 to 26), Vuelta a Espana (Aug. 24 to Sept. 15), Tour de Suisse (June 8 to 13), Tour of California (May 12 to 19) and kicking off with Santos Tour Down Under in Australia (Jan. 20 to 27).
