Well,

according to Versus (and reported in Velonews) viewership for the Tour was up this year and there were more viewers than even during the Lance era. Now, they are including their estimate for TiVo viewers. I myself am not sure whether this can be trusted, as Versus may be trying to make the Tour seem as popular as possible to appease advertisers.

Proof I guess will be in the pudding next year.

However - if this is true (and lets hope it is), this might lead them to cover additional races besides the current crop of races they are covering, including adding the Giro again next year and the Vuelta (as well as Amstel Gold and a host of other Spring Classics). Either way, it provides some counter evidence that the sport is dying, and if anything, will help increase the interest amongst sponsors and potential sponsors for supporting this sport.