It feels weird, doesn't it? For decades, the rhythm of July in the UK was simple. You’d flip on the TV, find Gary Imlach’s dry wit and Chris Boardman’s technical wizardry on ITV4, and settle in for five hours of French sunflowers and chaotic sprints. But if you’re looking for ITVX Tour de France coverage in 2026, things look a lot different than they used to.
The landscape has shifted. Basically, the long-standing era of free-to-air live cycling on ITV has hit a massive roadblock.
In late 2024, the bombshell dropped: Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) secured exclusive rights for the Tour de France from 2026 through 2030. This means the live broadcast you’re used to seeing on ITV4 and streaming on ITVX has moved behind a paywall. It’s a gut-punch for fans who grew up with the legendary Ned Boulting and David Millar commentary duo. Honestly, it marks the end of a 40-year run of free-to-air tradition that started back on Channel 4 in the 80s.
What happened to ITVX Tour de France live streams?
You’ve probably noticed the absence. For the first time in a generation, ITV doesn't have the live rights. If you want to watch the 2026 race live from Barcelona—where this year’s Grand Départ kicks off on July 4th—you’ll likely be heading to Eurosport or Discovery+.
It's a big change. WBD isn't just taking a slice of the pie; they’ve taken the whole thing. While ITV historically shared coverage or held the terrestrial rights, the new deal is an "exclusive" arrangement.
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Does this mean ITV is totally out? Not necessarily for news. You’ll still see ITV News clips and regional updates, especially since the 2027 race is slated to return to the UK with stages in Scotland, Wales, and England. But for that daily, grueling 200km live feed? The ITVX app isn't the primary home anymore.
The Ned and David Factor: Where are the voices?
If you're like most fans, the ITVX Tour de France experience was as much about the voices as the bikes. Ned Boulting and David Millar have become the soundtrack to the summer. When the news broke that ITV was losing the rights, the cycling community went into a bit of a meltdown.
But there’s a silver lining. Ned and David aren't just disappearing. They’ve launched a project called "NSF: Live in France."
- They aren't in the official "press box" anymore.
- They are literally following the race in a van.
- They’re broadcasting their own alternative "watch-along" style coverage.
- It’s free.
It’s a scrappy, pirate-radio vibe compared to the polished ITV studio. They’re roping in Lizzie Deignan and setting up in random villages along the route. It’s not the same as a 4K live feed on your smart TV, but for those who can’t stand the thought of a July without Ned’s tangents about French history, it’s a lifesaver.
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Why 2026 is a weird year for the route
This year's race is a monster. Starting in Barcelona on July 4th, the peloton is facing a rare team time trial right out of the gate. If you were hoping to catch the mountain stages on ITVX Tour de France highlights, you’re missing some serious drama.
The 2026 route features a "Double Alpe d'Huez." No, really. Stages 19 and 20 both finish on the legendary climb, but from different sides. It’s a pure climber’s dream—or a sprinter's nightmare. The penultimate day packs over 5,600 metres of elevation gain. That’s like climbing Everest from sea level twice in a single afternoon.
How to actually follow the race now
Since the "watch on ITVX" button isn't the default anymore, you’ve got to be a bit more strategic. Here’s how the 2026 season is actually working for UK viewers:
The Paid Route
Eurosport and Discovery+ are the big dogs now. They have every kilometer of every stage. If you want the full, uninterrupted experience with various camera angles and no ad breaks on the premium tier, this is where you go.
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The Free (ish) Highlights
There is a template for this. For the Giro d’Italia and the Vuelta a España, WBD usually puts highlights on Quest (a free-to-air channel). It’s expected they’ll do something similar for the Tour, but it won't have that "ITV feel." The production is different. The pacing is different. It feels a bit more "corporate sports show" and a bit less "eccentric road trip through France."
The Alternative Stream
Keep an eye on the Never Strays Far platform. As mentioned, Ned and David are doing their own thing. It’s more of a podcast-meets-live-stream. You watch the race on whatever screen you have, and you listen to them talk you through it. Kinda like how people used to turn down the TV volume to listen to the radio commentary.
Is ITVX gone for good from cycling?
Nothing is ever truly gone in sports media. Rights cycles come and go. While WBD has the rights until 2030, the 2027 Grand Départ in the UK is going to be a massive political and social event. Millions of people will be on the streets in Edinburgh, Carlisle, and Cardiff.
Because it’s a "protected" event in some contexts—though not fully on the "A-list" of protected sports like the FA Cup final—there’s always a push for some level of free-to-air access. ITV has deep pockets for the right events, and losing the Tour was a strategic choice or a budget casualty, not necessarily a permanent exit.
Actionable Steps for the 2026 Season
If you’re staring at your remote wondering where the bikes went, here is what you need to do:
- Check your subscriptions: If you already have Sky or BT/EE, check if Discovery+ is included in your package. Often it’s hidden in the "apps" section and you just need to activate it.
- Download the "Never Strays Far" app: If you want the old ITV commentary vibes, this is your only path. Sign up for their newsletter to get the daily broadcast times.
- Set a "Quest" reminder: Look for the highlights show on Freeview channel 12. It won’t be Gary Imlach, but it’ll give you the day's results for free.
- Follow the ITV News Border and Wales feeds: Since the 2027 UK start is being planned right now, ITV’s regional news is actually the best place for "behind the scenes" info on the upcoming British stages.
The era of ITVX Tour de France live dominance has paused. It’s a bummer for the casual fan who just liked having it on in the background while working. But the race goes on, the Alpe d'Huez is still there, and the fans will always find a way to watch—even if it means a little more effort than just hitting "Channel 3."