Sportsnet Secures Tour de France Rights

Sportsnet have announced it has inked a six-year deal with the Tour de France for the Canadian multimedia rights to the prestigious race, beginning in 2014 and continuing through to 2019.

The new deal includes exclusive national rights for television, plus digital and mobile devices during all 21 stages of the world’s most popular cycling race.

“The Tour de France is the ultimate event in cycling,” vice-president of finance and sports programming of Rogers Media Navaid Mansuri said in a press release. “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.”

The announcement comes just days after it was announced that Sportsnet signed a new agreement to broadcast the inaugural Tour of Alberta, which is Canada’s first major international stage race.

“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 Amaury Sport Organization general manager Yann Le Moenner. “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.”

Sportsnet is now the exclusive Canadian broadcaster of cycling’s Grand Tours, comprised of the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia and Vuelta a Espana.