Get ready for a major shift in how you watch cycling in the UK and Ireland! In a surprising move, cycling coverage is migrating from Discovery+ to HBO Max, starting at the end of March. This transition is part of a larger change as TNT Sports joins the Warner Bros Discovery (WBD) platform on March 26th. But here's the catch: this move might leave some cycling enthusiasts feeling conflicted.
For those who've been following the sport on Discovery+, the good news is that the subscription plans won't change. You'll still pay £30.99 a month for HBO Max with TNT Sports, and the transition should be seamless, allowing you to log in with your existing Discovery+ account.
Discovery's involvement in cycling media isn't new. They acquired Play Sports Group, the parent company of GCN, back in 2017, and gradually increased their ownership, taking full control in 2021 for a reported £70m. This move solidified their presence in the cycling content space.
However, the real game-changer came last year when Eurosport shut down in the UK, and TNT Sports became the go-to destination for live cycling. This shift significantly increased the cost of watching cycling, with the new subscription package priced at £30.99 a month, a far cry from the GCN+ offering.
And this is where it gets interesting: a survey by Cycling Weekly revealed that 71% of respondents watched the Tour on ITV, and a staggering 88% of them said they wouldn't subscribe to TNT Sports to watch the race live in 2026. This raises questions about the accessibility and affordability of cycling coverage for dedicated fans.
So, what does this mean for the future of cycling coverage? Will this move to HBO Max make it more or less accessible? Will it cater to the dedicated fans who've been following the sport for years? Share your thoughts below, and let's discuss the potential impact of this transition on the cycling community.
