France Télévisions Renew Tour de France Rights Deal

July 26, 2011

French public-service broadcaster France Télévisions has renewed its deal with the Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO) for a portfolio of sports rights including the Tour de France cycling race for 2014-15.

The deal covers the Tour de France, Paris-Nice, Criterium International, Paris-Roubaix, Fleche-Wallonne, Liege-Bastogne-Liege, Criterium du Dauphine and Paris-Tours cycle races, as well as the Paris Marathon and the Dakar rally.

France Televisions’ existing deal for the rights started in 2008 and will expire in 2013.

The contract was signed in France Televisions’ studio on the Champs-Elysees on the final day of this year’s Tour de France.

France Televisions president Remy Pflimlin said the deal shows “the strength of the [relationship] between France Televisions and ASO.”

Pflimlin said: “Through this agreement, coming days after the granting of rights to France Televisions for the (2014 to 2020) Olympic Games, France Televisions secures a new cornerstone of its sports programming and in particular confirms its commitment to the Tour de France and cycling in general.”

ASO president Jean-Etienne Amaury added: “France Televisions has always been a faithful partner, and this extension is a further sign of mutual trust that drives us.”