The UCI have announced a deal that will see 2022 as Red Bull’s last year streaming World Cups, as Discovery Sports sign an 8 year contract.
Discovery Sports will take over the production and broadcast of the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup from 2023, with a current deal that runs to the 2030 season. With Discovery Sports already working with the Enduro World Series organisers to develop their live broadcasts, this is a serious move into the world of mountain bike racing.
It’s speculation at present, but as Discovery Sports own Eurosport, this development may bring World Cup live streams as a pay per view service, like Eurosport’s road racing subscription.
Read the full press release below.
At its recent meeting in Montreux (Switzerland) from 10 to 12 February, the Management Committee of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) decided to enter into exclusive negotiations with Discovery Sports for the organisation and promotion of the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup for eight seasons, from 2023 to 2030.
The proposal by Discovery Sports, which was selected by the UCI as part of a tender process, comprises several strands: those relating to sporting and commercial matters, as well as those concerning the production and broadcasting of the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup.
More detailed information on the concept developed by Discovery Sports to further drive the development of the discipline will be communicated at the signing of the contract that will bind the two parties.
The UCI would like to thank Red Bull Media House, the producer and main broadcaster of the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup, who has used all its expertise to satisfy the passion of mountain bike fans around the world for more than 10 years, while significantly increasing the series’ audience during this period.
Discovery Sports will get in touch with the 2022 UCI Mountain Bike World Cup organisers as well as all the organisers that expressed their interest in hosting a round of the series for 2023 and 2024.
Meanwhile, all rounds of the 2022 Mercedes-Benz UCI World Cup will be available for viewing on Red Bull TV (RBTV) and on the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup broadcasters’ channels.
