The media group Warner Bros. Discovery has extended its rights to broadcast RCS Sport races in Europe and the USA. The agreement runs until 2029 and ensures the continuation of a collaboration that began in 1998 with the first Giro broadcast on Eurosport. Viewers in 50 European markets will be able to watch the races live on Eurosport. HBO Max offers live and on-demand streams of all major RCS races.
Scope of the broadcasting rights
The rights package includes 14 races from the UCI World Tour, UCI Women's World Tour and UCI ProSeries. In addition to the Giro d'Italia and the Giro d'Italia Femminile, the classics Milano-Sanremo and Il Lombardia for men and women are also included. Strade Bianche, Tirreno-Adriatico, Milano-Torino and Gran Piemonte complete the Italian programme. The UAE Tour for men and women as well as the Giro Next Gen for U23 riders and the Giro d'Abruzzo are also part of the agreement.
Giro d'Italia spectator numbers
Coverage of the Giro d'Italia in 2024 reached the highest viewer numbers since the start of broadcasts. Video views on streaming platforms increased by 44 per cent compared to the previous year. Social media coverage recorded an increase of 84 per cent. Linear viewing figures also grew significantly: Eurosport 1 in Germany increased its reach by 41 per cent compared to 2024.
Scott Young, EVP at WBD Sports Europe, explains that cycling is at the heart of the live multisport offering. The extension of rights around the Giro d'Italia and the top Italian races emphasises the long-term commitment to the growth of the sport. By continuously investing in storytelling, the aim is to reach a global audience and inspire the next generation of cycling stars.
Complete cycling offer
Warner Bros. Discovery broadcasts live on more than 300 days a year from more than 1000 races. The programme includes all three Grand Tours - Giro d'Italia, Tour de France and La Vuelta a España. The UCI World Championships in the disciplines of road cycling, mountain biking, cyclocross, track cycling and BMX are also part of the programme, as are the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series and a large selection of UCI World Tour races for men and women.
Paolo Bellino, CEO of RCS Sport, emphasises the importance of the long-standing partnership. For over 30 years, it has brought the Giro d'Italia and the RCS races to millions of fans worldwide with enormous reach. The agreement emphasises the global value of the events and their growing appeal in both men's and women's sport. Together, they want to further develop storytelling in cycling, preserve the spirit of the races and put a new generation of champions in the spotlight.
Kristian Bauer
Editor
