UCI grant Discovery WC rights from 2023 to 2030

BGoldstone wrote:

In Canada it’s going to be in Flobikes. $30/month or $150 a year. I’ve had it in the past and it was absolute garbage for cycling...

In Canada it’s going to be in Flobikes. $30/month or $150 a year. I’ve had it in the past and it was absolute garbage for cycling coverage

jonkranked wrote:

every time I hear "WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series" KRS One starts playing in my mind

 

sspomer wrote:

here's the UCI Whoop PR about flobikes and canada broadcast. Streaming platform set to bring the year’s best two-wheeled action into the homes of millions. The...

here's the UCI Whoop PR about flobikes and canada broadcast.

Streaming platform set to bring the year’s best two-wheeled action into the homes of millions.

The WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series will be available to Canadian viewers via the FloSports cycling streaming platform - FloBikes. The move is great news for race fans in one of mountain biking’s spiritual homes.

Canadian Elite athletes had a superb season last year, particularly amongst the Gravity rounds. Jackson Goldstone (Santa Cruz Syndicate) was the only Elite male to score two wins in the UCI Downhill World Cup, Finn Iles (Specialized Gravity) held the overall leader's jersey in the same competition and Gracey Hemstreet (Norco Factory Racing) had a breakthrough Elite season.

In the UCI Enduro World Cup, Squamish’s Rhys Verner (Forbidden Synthesis) scored his debut win whilst Jesse Melamed (Canyon CLLCTV) was narrowly pipped to the overall title by Yeti Fox Racing Shox’ Richie Rude.

FloSports was founded in 2006 and delivers live events, award-winning original content, always-on social experiences, and comprehensive sports data solutions to passionate and underserved sports communities interested in more than 25 different sports. Its FloBikes vertical is tailor-made for today's cycling fan, reaching them across the globe.

The opening round of this season’s Endurance side of the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series takes place in Mairiporã, Brazil from 12-14 April. The Gravity competition will get underway in Fort William, Scotland from 3-5 May with the season finale of the 2024 WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series returning to Mont-Sainte-Anne, Canada in October (4-6), where this year’s ultimate Downhill and Cross-country champions will be crowned.

In addition to Mountain Bike, thanks to Warner Bros. Discovery's sublicense partnership with FloSports, cycling fans in Canada will also have streaming access to the greatest number of live cycling races across all disciplines of any platform. Covering nearly 200 cycling events with nearly 450 stages of live cycling, all the world’s biggest road races will be featured for streaming including the Giro d’Italia, Tour de France, La Vuelta, Strade Bianche or the UCI World Championships. Every race from the 2024 UCI Track Champions League will also be available.

Trojan Paillot, SVP Sports Rights Acquisitions and Syndications at WBD Sports Europe, said: “We are delighted to partner with FloSports to leverage our unrivaled global rights portfolio to provide mountain bike fans in Canada with access to every single race from the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series."

“Our world-class production and cycling expertise coupled with the accessibility and reach of the FloSports platform in Canada is an incredibly powerful proposition for consumers. We know Canadian cycling fans will enjoy the benefits of having the entire WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series as well as an unrivaled selection of other cycling events in one place.”

Ryan Fenton, Director of Global Rights and Acquisitions at FloSports, added: “Combining this WBD Sports portfolio with ours provides cycling fans the ultimate destination to view the world’s very best races all in one place - there’s no need to go anywhere else. It also advances our mission to grow the sport as we make FloBikes the ultimate authority in cycling.”

To catch all the 2024 WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series action, fans in Canada should subscribe to FloSports and register for either an annual or monthly pass.

BGoldstone wrote:

In Canada it’s going to be in Flobikes. $30/month or $150 a year. I’ve had it in the past and it was absolute garbage for cycling...

In Canada it’s going to be in Flobikes. $30/month or $150 a year. I’ve had it in the past and it was absolute garbage for cycling coverage

lloyd506 wrote:

I paid to watch world champs through Flo bikes and if you think the coverage from GCN last year was bad, Flobikes is a whole other...

I paid to watch world champs through Flo bikes and if you think the coverage from GCN last year was bad, Flobikes is a whole other level of terrible. 
looks like I’ll be getting a VPN and figure something out. 

BGoldstone wrote:

In Canada it’s going to be in Flobikes. $30/month or $150 a year. I’ve had it in the past and it was absolute garbage for cycling...

In Canada it’s going to be in Flobikes. $30/month or $150 a year. I’ve had it in the past and it was absolute garbage for cycling coverage

lloyd506 wrote:

I paid to watch world champs through Flo bikes and if you think the coverage from GCN last year was bad, Flobikes is a whole other...

I paid to watch world champs through Flo bikes and if you think the coverage from GCN last year was bad, Flobikes is a whole other level of terrible. 
looks like I’ll be getting a VPN and figure something out. 

Rosmo wrote:

I think Flosports is just the license holder in Canada and has nothing to do with the broadcast and production of the races etc... so we...

I think Flosports is just the license holder in Canada and has nothing to do with the broadcast and production of the races etc... so we are either getting the Eurosports feed or the world feed for that event.

 

That said for the price of $150USD, plus Visa transaction fees and the exchange rate it's over $200/ annually. Putting it in the ultra-premium among streaming services the quality needs to be way better. Their inhouse podcasts and news stories aren't very good and I did not see value in the Flosports Extras like Team Cheerleading, Fishing or Rodeo and what ever else was in there. 

lloyd506 wrote:

I paid to watch world champs through Flo bikes and if you think the coverage from GCN last year was bad, Flobikes is a whole other...

I paid to watch world champs through Flo bikes and if you think the coverage from GCN last year was bad, Flobikes is a whole other level of terrible. 
looks like I’ll be getting a VPN and figure something out. 

Rosmo wrote:

I think Flosports is just the license holder in Canada and has nothing to do with the broadcast and production of the races etc... so we...

I think Flosports is just the license holder in Canada and has nothing to do with the broadcast and production of the races etc... so we are either getting the Eurosports feed or the world feed for that event.

 

That said for the price of $150USD, plus Visa transaction fees and the exchange rate it's over $200/ annually. Putting it in the ultra-premium among streaming services the quality needs to be way better. Their inhouse podcasts and news stories aren't very good and I did not see value in the Flosports Extras like Team Cheerleading, Fishing or Rodeo and what ever else was in there. 

casey79 wrote:

Its $150 CDN for the year not USD.

Rosmo wrote:

I think Flosports is just the license holder in Canada and has nothing to do with the broadcast and production of the races etc... so we...

I think Flosports is just the license holder in Canada and has nothing to do with the broadcast and production of the races etc... so we are either getting the Eurosports feed or the world feed for that event.

 

That said for the price of $150USD, plus Visa transaction fees and the exchange rate it's over $200/ annually. Putting it in the ultra-premium among streaming services the quality needs to be way better. Their inhouse podcasts and news stories aren't very good and I did not see value in the Flosports Extras like Team Cheerleading, Fishing or Rodeo and what ever else was in there. 

casey79 wrote:

Its $150 CDN for the year not USD.

Rosmo wrote:

Is that confirmed? I subscribed last year and it was in USD. 

Club Safari wrote:

What about the rest of the world ???????? Oh that’s right no one else outside Europe and North America rides bikes.  I just wish I knew...

What about the rest of the world ????????

Oh that’s right no one else outside Europe and North America rides bikes.  I just wish I knew where Sam Hill and Troy Brosnan lived. 

jonkranked wrote:

every time I hear "WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series" KRS One starts playing in my mind

 

t.odd wrote:

let's not go associating a quality musician and entertainer with the UCI now...

veefour wrote:

The surveys on the other site make for some interesting (but depressing) reading. The statement from Chris Ball is so out of touch it's unreal.  "Our...

The surveys on the other site make for some interesting (but depressing) reading. The statement from Chris Ball is so out of touch it's unreal. 

"Our long-term and trusted partnership with the UCI was formed to enable us to work closely together to continue investing in the sport, help it grow, reach new audiences and to benefit the entire mountain biking community. We have a proven track record of supporting the continued development of different sports and unlocking their power to inspire new and old fans alike.

Significant investment has already been made in the way the sport is presented, from course marking and safety to brand implementation, live data, global promotion and the new additions of interactive LED surfaces at start and finish lines.

We have embarked on a long-term road into a new era for the sport. We’re on track and proud of achievements after 2023, our first year. We’re also proud with the fast progress we’ve made, including securing record online audiences during last year’s Enduro and E-Enduro World Cup events and managing record highs in rider, nationality and team attendance at all events in all racing formats. In 2024, our second season, we have launched a larger than ever before international calendar, kick starting with a double header for cross-country racing in Brazil.

We've also made strides to improve the broadcast product for fans all around the world. Through the use of live drone cameras, large scale and micro live cable cameras, the launch of live TV shows in more 20 different languages, live data streaming from bikes on course, first ever free-to-air broadcast of the U23 cross-country and junior downhill racing at all rounds, improved viewing experience with significant changes done to the way racecourses are presented and an increase in the number of cameras deployed around each and every racetrack. Using our unprecedented reach across live sport, we have also integrated mountain bike into live broadcasts of some of the largest sporting events in the world, bringing a whole new audience to this exciting sport.

We are still near the start line and have a lot of good work to do ahead of us. Our incredibly experienced international and passionate team continue to work tirelessly 365 days of the year to grow every aspect of mountain biking, a sport we love."—Chris Ball, Vice President of Cycling Events at Warner Bros. Discovery Sports Europe

veefour wrote:

The surveys on the other site make for some interesting (but depressing) reading. The statement from Chris Ball is so out of touch it's unreal.  "Our...

The surveys on the other site make for some interesting (but depressing) reading. The statement from Chris Ball is so out of touch it's unreal. 

"Our long-term and trusted partnership with the UCI was formed to enable us to work closely together to continue investing in the sport, help it grow, reach new audiences and to benefit the entire mountain biking community. We have a proven track record of supporting the continued development of different sports and unlocking their power to inspire new and old fans alike.

Significant investment has already been made in the way the sport is presented, from course marking and safety to brand implementation, live data, global promotion and the new additions of interactive LED surfaces at start and finish lines.

We have embarked on a long-term road into a new era for the sport. We’re on track and proud of achievements after 2023, our first year. We’re also proud with the fast progress we’ve made, including securing record online audiences during last year’s Enduro and E-Enduro World Cup events and managing record highs in rider, nationality and team attendance at all events in all racing formats. In 2024, our second season, we have launched a larger than ever before international calendar, kick starting with a double header for cross-country racing in Brazil.

We've also made strides to improve the broadcast product for fans all around the world. Through the use of live drone cameras, large scale and micro live cable cameras, the launch of live TV shows in more 20 different languages, live data streaming from bikes on course, first ever free-to-air broadcast of the U23 cross-country and junior downhill racing at all rounds, improved viewing experience with significant changes done to the way racecourses are presented and an increase in the number of cameras deployed around each and every racetrack. Using our unprecedented reach across live sport, we have also integrated mountain bike into live broadcasts of some of the largest sporting events in the world, bringing a whole new audience to this exciting sport.

We are still near the start line and have a lot of good work to do ahead of us. Our incredibly experienced international and passionate team continue to work tirelessly 365 days of the year to grow every aspect of mountain biking, a sport we love."—Chris Ball, Vice President of Cycling Events at Warner Bros. Discovery Sports Europe

gibbon wrote:

Usual wall of positive noise bs. Don't acknowledge,don't engage.

veefour wrote:

The surveys on the other site make for some interesting (but depressing) reading. The statement from Chris Ball is so out of touch it's unreal.  "Our...

The surveys on the other site make for some interesting (but depressing) reading. The statement from Chris Ball is so out of touch it's unreal. 

"Our long-term and trusted partnership with the UCI was formed to enable us to work closely together to continue investing in the sport, help it grow, reach new audiences and to benefit the entire mountain biking community. We have a proven track record of supporting the continued development of different sports and unlocking their power to inspire new and old fans alike.

Significant investment has already been made in the way the sport is presented, from course marking and safety to brand implementation, live data, global promotion and the new additions of interactive LED surfaces at start and finish lines.

We have embarked on a long-term road into a new era for the sport. We’re on track and proud of achievements after 2023, our first year. We’re also proud with the fast progress we’ve made, including securing record online audiences during last year’s Enduro and E-Enduro World Cup events and managing record highs in rider, nationality and team attendance at all events in all racing formats. In 2024, our second season, we have launched a larger than ever before international calendar, kick starting with a double header for cross-country racing in Brazil.

We've also made strides to improve the broadcast product for fans all around the world. Through the use of live drone cameras, large scale and micro live cable cameras, the launch of live TV shows in more 20 different languages, live data streaming from bikes on course, first ever free-to-air broadcast of the U23 cross-country and junior downhill racing at all rounds, improved viewing experience with significant changes done to the way racecourses are presented and an increase in the number of cameras deployed around each and every racetrack. Using our unprecedented reach across live sport, we have also integrated mountain bike into live broadcasts of some of the largest sporting events in the world, bringing a whole new audience to this exciting sport.

We are still near the start line and have a lot of good work to do ahead of us. Our incredibly experienced international and passionate team continue to work tirelessly 365 days of the year to grow every aspect of mountain biking, a sport we love."—Chris Ball, Vice President of Cycling Events at Warner Bros. Discovery Sports Europe

gibbon wrote:

Usual wall of positive noise bs. Don't acknowledge,don't engage.

veefour wrote:

The surveys on the other site make for some interesting (but depressing) reading. The statement from Chris Ball is so out of touch it's unreal.  "Our...

The surveys on the other site make for some interesting (but depressing) reading. The statement from Chris Ball is so out of touch it's unreal. 

"Our long-term and trusted partnership with the UCI was formed to enable us to work closely together to continue investing in the sport, help it grow, reach new audiences and to benefit the entire mountain biking community. We have a proven track record of supporting the continued development of different sports and unlocking their power to inspire new and old fans alike.

Significant investment has already been made in the way the sport is presented, from course marking and safety to brand implementation, live data, global promotion and the new additions of interactive LED surfaces at start and finish lines.

We have embarked on a long-term road into a new era for the sport. We’re on track and proud of achievements after 2023, our first year. We’re also proud with the fast progress we’ve made, including securing record online audiences during last year’s Enduro and E-Enduro World Cup events and managing record highs in rider, nationality and team attendance at all events in all racing formats. In 2024, our second season, we have launched a larger than ever before international calendar, kick starting with a double header for cross-country racing in Brazil.

We've also made strides to improve the broadcast product for fans all around the world. Through the use of live drone cameras, large scale and micro live cable cameras, the launch of live TV shows in more 20 different languages, live data streaming from bikes on course, first ever free-to-air broadcast of the U23 cross-country and junior downhill racing at all rounds, improved viewing experience with significant changes done to the way racecourses are presented and an increase in the number of cameras deployed around each and every racetrack. Using our unprecedented reach across live sport, we have also integrated mountain bike into live broadcasts of some of the largest sporting events in the world, bringing a whole new audience to this exciting sport.

We are still near the start line and have a lot of good work to do ahead of us. Our incredibly experienced international and passionate team continue to work tirelessly 365 days of the year to grow every aspect of mountain biking, a sport we love."—Chris Ball, Vice President of Cycling Events at Warner Bros. Discovery Sports Europe

gibbon wrote:

Usual wall of positive noise bs. Don't acknowledge,don't engage.

Mr.Nally wrote:

any specific examples of the BS? Most of it seems accurate despite being wrapped up in corporate BS lingo, no?

chriskief wrote:

The BS being there's zero acknowledgment of any of the issues both riders and fans have shared in these forums, the PB survey, etc.

chriskief wrote:

The BS being there's zero acknowledgment of any of the issues both riders and fans have shared in these forums, the PB survey, etc.

Mr.Nally wrote:

So you have no actual examples to highlight?  I was asking for what bs Ball was talking, not just general discontent. There were more cameras on...

So you have no actual examples to highlight?  I was asking for what bs Ball was talking, not just general discontent.

There were more cameras on tracks last year than in RB days, more languages broadcast live. U23 XC and junior dh racing broadcast live. All things Ball references in his corporate blurb. Highlights improved course marking and safety.

Acknowledges that they have a lot more to do. 

Those are all real not bs. Correct?

 

You might not like having to pay to watch DH now. I'd prefer if it was free too. But ball's blurb is pretty factual it seems. Not "bs".

 

chriskief wrote:

Seems like you’re misunderstanding the point being made by “usual wall of positive noise bs”. If you want to pick apart his statement for factual inaccuracies...

Seems like you’re misunderstanding the point being made by “usual wall of positive noise bs”.

If you want to pick apart his statement for factual inaccuracies, I’ll leave that to the PB comments section. Plenty of that going on over there.

sspomer wrote:

   have heard WC is live on amazon prime in USA. screenshot. can anyone else confirm? i don't have prime.

  

have heard WC is live on amazon prime in USA. screenshot. can anyone else confirm? i don't have prime.

chriskief wrote:

Seems like you’re misunderstanding the point being made by “usual wall of positive noise bs”. If you want to pick apart his statement for factual inaccuracies...

Seems like you’re misunderstanding the point being made by “usual wall of positive noise bs”.

If you want to pick apart his statement for factual inaccuracies, I’ll leave that to the PB comments section. Plenty of that going on over there.

Mr.Nally wrote:

Hyper positive corporate blurb, yes. Bs, no. Thanks for playing