Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she is taking steps to ensure that television coverage of the Tour de France remains available to UK viewers.

The Government recognises concerns raised about losing free-to-air coverage of the Tour de France. Ensuring live cycling can be enjoyed by a wide reaching audience is important to growing the sport and inspiring the next generation of cyclists. Professional cycling, in particular the Tour de France, (men’s and women’s Tours) captivates fans with its exciting races and inspires people across the country to get on their bikes every weekend.

It is the responsibility of broadcasters and rights holders to think carefully about the balance between generating revenue and ensuring access to sports coverage for their viewers.

While I have regular discussions with UK broadcasters on a range of issues, decisions relating to coverage of particular sporting events - including the Tour de France - are ultimately a commercial decision for the relevant broadcaster and/or the rights holder, independent of government.