How to watch Tour de France: channels & streaming options

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The 2023 Tour de France is set to drop the flag next month, as the world’s brightest and best endurance cyclists prepare to take on the greatest road race on the planet, delivering close to a month of thrilling action across multiple stages.

🖥️ Access Discovery+ through Sky TV to watch the 2023 Tour de France today

Set to kick off with this year’s Grand Depart in Bilbao before crossing the border from Spain, it will be non-stop racing for just over three weeks as millions of fans tune in across the United States and around the world - and with 21 stages to catch across terrestrial television, cable and satellite providers, and streaming services, there’s plenty of ways to catch it all.

So slip into your yellow jersey, strap on your bicycle clips and allow GOAL to take you through the 2023 Tour de France, including when and where to watch races live and on-demand, the pros and cons of each option, and just what will suit your viewing preferences.

2023 Tour de France channels and streaming services

Where can I watch the 2023 Tour de France?

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The 2023 Tour de France is set to be covered across the United States by a mixture of terrestrial broadcasters, cable television providers and streaming services, with NBC, USA Network and Peacock set to combine in delivering full coverage of the race.

The former’s working relationship dates back to 2001 with the event, while the latter two are more recent additions to the slate of deals wrangled to broadcast the event over the course of July. This deal was revised earlier this year too, with an extension that will keep it there until 2028 at the earliest.

Unlike several other sports across North America which share broadcast duties with regional sports networks (RSNs), the global popularity of the Tour de France means all raw footage and content is taken from a local, domestic provider in the nation itself.

Best terrestrial and cable channels to watch 2023 Tour de France 

• ITV4

Best streaming apps to watch 2023 Tour de France 

• Discovery+

🖥️ Access Discovery+ through Sky TV to watch the 2023 Tour de France today

Who provides the world feed for the Tour de France?

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The world feed is the informal name given to the broadcast production service offered out to channels across the world, including in the United Kingdom. Due to the Tour de France’s position among the most-watched sporting events in the world, it has been centralized and streamlined as a broadcasting operation.

The footage used by ITV4 and Discovery+ is traditionally taken from France Televisions, France’s biggest terrestrial, free-to-air provider. Their coverage of the Tour de France is the springboard from which most other broadcasters take their cues.

This footage can then be tailored with color commentary or re-edited into highlights packages across various networks. For future editions of the Tour de France, Peacock will be offering studio-based shows around live coverage too, as part of their deal too.

How to watch 2023 Tour de France on terrestrial television

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You can watch the 2023 Tour de France on terrestrial television through ITV4. The network has a longstanding relationship with the Amaury Sport Organisation, who are in charge of both the event and several other major cycling tournaments throughout the calendar year.

Terrestrial television to watch Tour de France

• ITV4

🖥️ Access Discovery+ through Sky TV to watch the 2023 Tour de France today

What are the pros and cons of terrestrial television?

Terrestrial television allows viewers to catch the action on free-to-air coverage across the United States, making it one of the most cost-effective ways for viewers to keep on top of the 2023 Tour de France.

But NBC’s generally limited coverage next to cable providers and streaming services this year may leave customers shortchanged if they’re looking to stay informed on all fronts throughout the race. You may want to invest in additional avenues to cover more bases if you want to fully immerse yourself in the Tour de France.

How to watch 2023 Tour de France on cable and satellite television

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The 2023 Tour de France will be covered by Discovery+, a streaming platform that is also available for free to Sky TV customers across the UK.

FAQS

How can I watch the Tour de France live?

You can watch the Tour de France live through Peacock, with NBC and USA Channel also set to broadcast limited coverage.

🖥️ Access Discovery+ through Sky TV to watch the 2023 Tour de France today

How can I watch the Tour de France on mobile and tablet?

You can watch the Tour de France on your mobile and tablet through the Sky Go app, though make sure to confirm that the app is supported by your device.

Do I need a VPN to watch Tour de France?

You do not need a VPN to watch the Tour de France; however, you may wish to pick one up regardless in order to factor in different coverage throughout the race as well as additional sports programming you may hope to catch alongside it.

For more information, consider GOAL’s guide to what VPN services may best suit your needs. 

The final say 

While there are multiple ways to watch the 2023 Tour de France, Discovery+'s depth of coverage makes them a no-brainer as a first port of call.

However, for basic coverage of the event, you can keep up-to-date with what's going on through ITV4.