The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and Amaury Sport Organisation (A.S.O.) are pleased to announce a new agreement setting out the conditions for broadcasting A.S.O. cycling events for 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.

As well as the Tour de France, the agreement covers these classics: Paris-Roubaix; Liège–Bastogne–Liège; Flèche Wallonne and Paris–Tours, and these stage races: Paris-Nice; Critérium du Dauphiné and the Critérium International.

The agreement ensures these races will reach the widest possible audiences via EBU Members’ terrestrial networks in Belgium (VRT, RTBF); Denmark (TV2); Italy (RAI); the Netherlands (NOS); Norway (TV2); Switzerland (SRG, RTS, TSI); Spain (TVE) and the UK (ITV), among others.

They will also be aired by Eurosport’s pan-European network, which is watched by sports fans in more than 60 countries.

Alongside the television broadcast, all channels will show these events on a variety of digital media, through live web streaming, mobile applications and social networks.

This partnership with the EBU comes shortly after A.S.O. signed new agreements with France Télévisions until 2020, during the 100th Tour de France. France Télévisions will manage production of the international signal from these events, with the exception of the Flèche Wallonne and Liège–Bastogne–Liège, where RTBF will be responsible. 

"To bring the widest possible audience the unique sporting spectacle of cycle racing in stunning surroundings is why we have made this agreement with the EBU and its Members’ channels. We welcome the extension of our collaboration, which once again offers cycling privileged access to the entire European public," said A.S.O. Director General Yann Le Moenner.

EBU Director General Ingrid Deltenre said the Tour’s enduring international popularity made it one a choice property in sports broadcasting.

“A.S.O. cycle races, and the Tour de France in particular, are extremely important to our Members and their viewers,” she said. “As cycling’s flagship event, the Tour has been a key element of the EBU’s sports rights portfolio many times over the years, and we’re proud to continue this tradition as the race moves into its second century. Crucially, this contract ensures the race can be seen on our Members’ free-to-air channels until 2019.”