Cyclists ride on a road surrounded by vineyards during the third stage of the 106th edition of the Tour de France between Binche and Epernay.
Marco Bertorello / AFP/Getty Images
Other than the current leader getting to wear a yellow jersey, I know next to nothing about the Tour de France. Still, I find myself tuning in so I can watch the pretty French countryside go by and see the insane climbs and even more insane descents in and out of the Alps. This year’s tour will cover 2,157 miles over 21 stages. That is roughly 2,150 more miles than I will bike this month.
Here’s what you need to know about how to stream the Tour de France.
Watch this:
Live TV streaming services for cord cutters: How to choose…
2:44
When is it?
The Tour de France started on July 6 and ends on Sunday, July 28, on the Champs-Elysees in Paris.
How can I watch the tour on TV?
The Tour de France is broadcast on NBC and NBCSN. Live coverage begins between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. ET and runs to 12:00 p.m. ET or 12:30 p.m. ET depending on the day (or Stage, in cycling parlance),
How can I watch the tour online?
Cable subscribers: You can livestream the tour on NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app, but you will need to prove you have a TV subscription that includes NBC. If you are a real fan of the Tour, then you can pay $54.99 a year for NBC Sports Gold Cycling Pass, which delivers commercial-free live coverage.
Cord cutters: If you don’t have a cable or satellite TV subscription, then you can watch with a live-TV streaming service but will need to make sure you can get a live feed of NBC. In some markets, you can watch on-demand but not live content from NBC and the other local networks. NBC will show live coverage/highlights on the final two days (July 27 and 28 ) that you can watch with one of these OTA antennas.
Other stuff to know about live TV streaming services:
Note CNET may get a share of revenue from the sale of the products featured on this page.
Sling TV
Sling TV
Sling TV’s $25-a-month Blue package includes NBC and NBCSN. (Sling Blue is currently discounted to $15 a month for the first month.) Click here to see if you live in a market that offers NBC.
Hulu with Live TV
Hulu With Live TV
Hulu with Live TV costs $45 a month and includes NBC and NBCSN. Click the “View all channels in your area” link on its welcome page to see which live, local channels are offered in your ZIP code.
PlayStation Vue
PlayStation Vue’s basic $50-a-month Access plan includes NBC and NBCSN. You can see if a live feed of NBC is available in your area here.
YouTube TV
YouTube TV costs $50 a month and includes NBC and NBCSN. Plug in your ZIP code on its welcome page to see if a live feed of NBC is available in your area.
DirecTV Now
DirecTV Now’s basic $50-a-month Plus package includes NBC and NBCSN. You can use its channel lookup tool to see if a live feed of NBC is available where you live.
FuboTV
FuboTV costs $55 per month and includes NBC and NBCSN. Click here to see if you live in a market that offers NBC.
Originally published July 17, 2018.
Update, July 8, 2019: Gives this year’s info.
$44
CNET may get a commission from retail offers.