Coverage

The coverage on TV of the Tour De France, probably the most prestigious cycling event in the world, has this year been appalling. Channel 4 have been covering it, not that you would know. Some days it is on at 5.30pm, a great time for people who work or have families and then other days it has not been on till after midnight, some days at 4.00am. I know most of us have got videos but why on earth cant we have it on at a sensible time in the evening? We have ended up with a weeks worth on video. Why is it that TV schedules can be altered for tennis, football, cricket, snooker basically anything but not cycling? Arent we meant to be promoting cycling ...  Read the complete review

I have over the past 5 years enjoyed watching the Tour de France grace our TV screens. This year however I seem to have missed every single trailer for it! It also appears only to be on late at night whereas in the past it was put on at 6pm at night. I feel that football and cricket seem to be dominating the Tv recently - especially with Euro 2000 this year and the cricket season in full swing (on C4 which also happens to do the TdF) I do happen to enjoy both football and cricket, but also feel that events such as the TdF which only happen once a year and for a couple of weeks are not considered important enough to put on prime time viewing. The only other ...  Read the complete review

Channel 4 have just shot themselves in the foot by altering the time they show the Tour DE France. Midnight is just not good enough. This is the premier cycling event of the year and in the past, channel 4 have managed to provide a very enjoyable 30 minute slot at a sensible early evening time. There coverage has been excellent and has captivated a non competitive cyclist like myself by explaining the arduous event, giving a colourful presentation of the countryside and towns the tour passes through and illustrating the pain and committment a pro cyclist has to endure. I get far more pleasure from watching the tour for 30 quality mins on channel 4 than ...  Read the complete review