Get ready for a major shift in cycling coverage in the UK and Ireland! The cycling world is about to get a new home on HBO Max.
From March 26th, cycling enthusiasts in the region will witness a significant change as cycling coverage moves from Discovery+ to HBO Max. This transition is part of a broader strategy by Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), which now includes TNT Sports. With HBO Max already available in over 100 countries, this move brings a familiar platform to cycling fans.
But here's the good news: your subscription plans will remain unchanged, and the transition should be seamless. You can continue enjoying the same great content for the same price of £30.99 per month. Simply log in to HBO Max with your existing Discovery+ account, and you're all set!
The story behind this shift is quite intriguing. Discovery, which bought into Play Sports Group (the owner of GCN) in 2017, increased its stake in 2019 and eventually took full control in 2021. This move valued the company at a reported £70 million.
Last year, Eurosport, a popular cycling channel in the UK, was closed down, and TNT Sports took over as the new home for live cycling. This change meant that cycling fans had to subscribe to a broader sports package, which was priced significantly higher than the previous GCN+ offering.
And this is the part most people miss: a survey conducted by Cycling Weekly last year revealed an interesting insight. A whopping 71% of respondents said they preferred watching the Tour on ITV, and a vast majority (88%) stated they wouldn't subscribe to TNT Sports to watch the race live in 2026. This shows a clear preference for free-to-air coverage among UK cycling fans.
So, what does this mean for the future of cycling coverage? With the shift to HBO Max, will we see more exclusive content or a different approach to subscription models? And will this impact the accessibility of cycling events for fans? These are questions worth pondering. Feel free to share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!
