Professional Cycling - Any word on US coverage of the Giro d'Italia?

Has anyone heard yet if there will be any coverage in the US? With Lance racing, it would seem folly not to have any coverage here in the US.

Cheers,

Brian J.

Last I checked the VS broadcast schedule, they weren't even planning highlights. I expect they'll trot out their usual pay for the priviledge package. I'll probably just deal with the choppy internet feed from RAI and commentary from Eurosport.

That bites

I was about to post the same question, and generally wondering how people will follow the Giro. I see that you can get it through a paid subscription to cycling.tv, but even leaving aside the cost, I'm worried that it would be TOO distracting to be able to watch the whole thing at work. I would love a way to catch a highlight reel each night -- even if cyclingnews.com or someone else does live text coverage, one of the great draws of the Giro is the beautiful scenery! Here's hoping that one of the italian stations streams it over the web, or that daily videos appear on youtube...

I was about to post the same question, and generally wondering how people will follow the Giro. I see that you can get it through a paid subscription to cycling.tv, but even leaving aside the cost, I'm worried that it would be TOO distracting to be able to watch the whole thing at work. I would love a way to catch a highlight reel each night -- even if cyclingnews.com or someone else does live text coverage, one of the great draws of the Giro is the beautiful scenery! Here's hoping that one of the italian stations streams it over the web, or that daily videos appear on youtube...

RAI.it does provide live streaming, however, I've found that there are lots of hang-ups in the last 20 minutes of the race (possibly because their servers get swamped). Maybe it will be better this year - or maybe not. I'll be seriously bummed if there's no coverage at all.

RAI.it does provide live streaming, however, I've found that there are lots of hang-ups in the last 20 minutes of the race (possibly because their servers get swamped). Maybe it will be better this year - or maybe not. I'll be seriously bummed if there's no coverage at all.

I've had similar problems with cycling.tv. I was a subscriber from the beginning, mainly for the Giro, and the last couple years, I couldn't even connect during the big stages. I've had to lock my credit card up not to renew this year (I expired yesterday) but I know that I will be so disappointed by their service if I do. :(

(I expired yesterday) :(

We're sorry to hear that and hope you've gone to a better place.

we're sorry to hear that and hope you've gone to a better place.

Touché! :thumb:

We're sorry to hear that and hope you've gone to a better place.

:roflmao2:

How hard is it for Versus to pay for a f$%ing satellite feed and have a small crew provide commentary? Seems like a no brainer to me, especially with Lance in the race..

Last I checked the VS broadcast schedule, they weren't even planning highlights. I expect they'll trot out their usual pay for the priviledge package. I'll probably just deal with the choppy internet feed from RAI and commentary from Eurosport.

Ditto, done the same for the last three years. It's better than nothing but still surprised Vs isn't picking it up :mad:

Steephill, http://www.steephill.tv/giro-d-italia/ , is reporting this:


May 4 update: There is a lot of last-minute drama playing out regarding the Giro d'Italia TV and online rights. RCS, the rights holder, is asking more money than Versus and Cycling Tv are willing to pay. It seems RCS doesn't want to unbundle the TV and Online rights. One way or another there wil be online video for those in North America but there may not be english commentary. Those in Europe can watch on Eurosport and RAI. Much more to come. Stay tuned...

Interesting...

So for those of us that bought one of the packages that contained the Giro, I guess cyclingtv will owe us money if they can't get this contract worked out.

I chuckle at this "we want more money at the last minute..." stuff. I guess existing contracts don't mean the same thing in Italy they do in other places. So rather than getting the previously agreed to price, all the outlets bail and RCS gets nada.

Good negotiating tactic.

Steephill, http://www.steephill.tv/giro-d-italia/ , is reporting this:

Ah... that might explain why cycling.tv was offering a stand alone Giro package for $29.95 a couple of weeks ago but is now no longer offered, or at least i can't find it.

People "renegotiate" contracts all the time...

I do wonder how much is "too much" for VS? And do they realize the relative desire of viewers to watch the race as compared to the other races they do televise?

I appreciate the coverage they provide, but I wish they would provide coverage of the Giro.

When I left feedback for them, I noticed that almost every single comment (and there were hundreds of them) was urging them to provide some coverage of the Giro.

It's looking like RAI's low res feed is going to be the only game in town.

Remember the year we had live coverage of the Giro?

I've heard rumors that RAI-IT isn't streaming it live this year either. I'm starting to feel slightly desperate.

Whoo-hoo. Eurosport text coverage might be as good as it gets. Pathetic. :(

No coverage in the US, this sucks.

Latest update is that web feed will be available for US:

http://www.steephill.tv/giro-d-italia/#live

a big thank you to whomever is responsible for the web feed, even if it comes without commentary.
otoh...a big how dare you take this long to finalize coverage! you induced a massive bout of chips/sodas/beers binge eating/ drinking to assuage my ruffled (ruffles?) nerves!

This looks promising if your provider carries it:

http://www.universalsports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=23000&ATCLID=3734597

You think with Lance in it and his desire to promote his foundation that he would have talked a little bit with Versus to cover it, especailly since they'll be doing the tour agan this year.. - you know his COMEBACK year, they could market the hell out of that. . ..


oh well.

... since they'll be doing the tour agan this year.. - you know his COMEBACK year, they could market the hell out of that. . ...

If their team isn't belly up by the end of May. :crash:

Holy crap!!! I just saw this posted over on Road Cycling:
http://www.universalsports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=23000&atclid=3734597&CFID=41833494&CFTOKEN=80411558&jsessionid=aa3062195242c3f4f734

:beer:

Holy crap!!! I just saw this posted over on Road Cycling:
http://www.universalsports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=23000&atclid=3734597&CFID=41833494&CFTOKEN=80411558&jsessionid=aa3062195242c3f4f734

:beer:

Unfortunately, they don't come on DirecTV. :cry: Nor Dish Network. :cry: :cry:

Has anyone heard yet if there will be any coverage in the US? With Lance racing, it would seem folly not to have any coverage here in the US.

Cheers,

Brian J.

Giro broadcasted in USA by Universal Sports

Lance Armstrong's battle against the best in the world of cycling for the Giro d'Italia's maglia rosa will be shown in the United States, announced broadcaster Universal Sports.

Two American teams – Columbia-Highroad and Garmin-Slipstream – and 10 Americans will race in the 2009 Giro d'Italia. Garmin won the opening team time trial last year and put its rider Christian Vande Velde, from Chicago, in the leader's maglia rosa.

Vande Velde is back this year with another top American favourite, Armstrong's Astana teammate Levi Leipheimer.

American fans had expressed concern that they would miss Armstrong's Giro d'Italia debut when the Versus channel, which broadcasts the majority of cycling events in the USA, chose not to carry the Giro this year.

Universal Sports will carry every stage live, but has yet to announce the exact times of each stage. Italy's Rai will have up to 12 hours of Giro d'Italia coverage daily (includes live feed, pre- and post-coverage and sideshows).

Universal Sports is a joint venture between NBC and InterMedia Partners. Its cable channel reaches more than 45 million homes across the US. (SW)

Will they also be streaming live feeds over the 'net?

Will they also be streaming live feeds over the 'net?

I've saw coverage recently on this site, I think it was Normandie.

http://www.channelsurfing.net/

I've saw coverage recently on this site, I think it was Normandie.

http://www.channelsurfing.net/

Hey, thanks for that link...looks very cool. It also looks like Universal Sports will be streaming it live everyday, so my May is not ruined afterall. It is a shame that it took so long for the contracts to be worked out and that we had to be held hostage for so long....more's the pity.

Thanks and Cheers,

Brian J.

the website cyclingfans has or during the race has lists of webcasts of who is broadcasting it

the only bad part is you wont have phil or paul anouncing it

I'm not seeing anything when I click on "watch it live" :(

I'm not seeing anything when I click on "watch it live" :(

You should be now. Presenting teams...

Seems to either not like Firefox, or I needed to back out and refresh the links.

I had to re open the universal sport link a couple times to get it to work. I'm enjoying the coverage so far! They also now have a anouncer.

I'm not seeing anything when I click on "watch it live" :(

I've had some issues with Google Chrome, so I use IE now.

Well thats what i was afraid of, any suggestions for good places to watch it online?

By the way: Put this in IE and it works great.

http://www.universalsports.com/mediaPlayer/media.dbml?SPSID=105625&SPID=13044&DB_OEM_ID=23000&_MODE_=ONDEMAND&CLIP_ID=397319&CLIP_FILE_ID=405302

Set it up to about the 1 hr 9 min mark and you will see High Road.

This looks promising if your provider carries it:

http://www.universalsports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=23000&ATCLID=3734597

Right on. Universal Sports channel is providing daily program coverage of the Giro and fortunately the local Reno cable system does carry that channel as part of their enhanced sports channels option. Good thing as I am still using dialup internet access.

For those with cable TV Universal Sports is broadcasting the Giro daily. Fortunately the local Reno cable network does offer Universal Sports as part of their enhanced sports channels package. Good thing as I am still using dialup internet access.

Watched the replay on Universal last night. I also watched the Tour of the Basque Country on Universal. every day.

I thnk it's on at noon today, and then there is a nightly replay.

OK, this announcer on the Universal Sports is killing me. It's like he knows how to say specific works in he right dialect and say them.

FYI, Universal Sports is on some cable systems, just not one I happen to have. Here is a list.

http://www.universalsports.tv/Universal_Sports_on_TV.html

Rassafrassin' Universal Sports is giving me 650k "movies" of black instead of actual coverage.

OK, this announcer on the Universal Sports is killing me. It's like he knows how to say specific works in he right dialect and say them.

during the TTT the universal video feed and Eurosport audio feed synced up perfectly, if you don't like the Universal commentary.

didn't really note if it was the same for stage 2, i was really tired, and just noticed the plentiful commercials on Eurosport were a lot louder than the commentary, so i just left it with the universal commentary.

Holy crap!!! I just saw this posted over on Road Cycling:
http://www.universalsports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=23000&atclid=3734597&CFID=41833494&CFTOKEN=80411558&jsessionid=aa3062195242c3f4f734

:beer:

Yeah, in L.A. it's OTA on channel 4.4. Saw the T.T.T. yesterday but missed stage 2 today.

Well thats what i was afraid of, any suggestions for good places to watch it online?

Check http://www.cyclingfans.com the day of any race and they put up links to live streaming worldwide. I watch the TDF completely online last year using the streams they provided. Hope that helps.

Sally

Seems to either not like Firefox, or I needed to back out and refresh the links.

Ya, It does not work under Firefox. But I have verified that it does work with Internet Explorer and Windows media player 11 or later. You need this combination. I guess there is some DRM issue that requires this combination.