International sports broadcaster Eurosport has enhanced its cycling portfolio by extending its deal for the Giro d’Italia and adding several other events.
The deal, running for four years from 2017 to 2020, was agreed with with the IMG agency.
The contract covers the Giro and all major Italian races, including Il Lombardia and Milan-San Remo, the first classic of the season. For the Giro d’Italia, the new agreement covers four hours of every stage live. Eurosport has broadcast the Giro since 1998.
The new deal offers more exclusivity to Eurosport in Europe and Australia. The new races now available exclusively are the six Flanders Classics single-stage races – including the iconic World Tour race Gent-Wevelgem – the Tour of Romandie, Tour of Britain, Tour of Utah, Tour of Alberta, Tour of Abu Dhabi and Tour of Dubai.
Within the home market of each race and Asia, Eurosport will hold non-exclusive rights. Rights are yet to be attributed in Italy. The deal excludes coverage in France.
Eurosport chief executive Peter Hutton said: “While we’re proud of Eurosport’s great heritage in cycling, the exclusive and extended coverage of the Giro d’Italia, and additional races added to our calendar, demonstrates there is much more to come. In 2017, for the first time, Eurosport will show over 200 days of live cycling in a calendar year.”