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Still distraught by GCN+ shutting down on December 19? Fortunately, the races have found a new steaming home. Unfortunately, watching them will cost more than four times as much as before.
For viewers in the U.S., Warner Bros. Discovery is moving more than 300 live pro cycling events previously available on GCN+ to its Max streaming service.
“Live cycling coverage on Max will include more than 300 of the world’s biggest racing events, including the prestigious Giro d’Italia, all race weekends of the UCI Mountain Bike World Series, all rounds of the UCI Track Champions League, 53 Women’s WorldTour broadcasts, the E3 Saxo Bank Classic, Kuurne–Brussels–Kuurne, and more,” the company announced in a press release.
Besides these events, the subscription also includes access to the pre- and post-race analysis show “The Breakaway.” Former professional riders Alberto Contador, Philippe Gilbert, Robbie McEwen, and Jens Voigt (of Velo’s Bobby & Jens podcast) are among those who will feature on the live coverage.
Also read: Warner Bros moves cycling coverage from GCN+ to Max
A major price hike
With its extensive rights, Max will be an enticing service for U.S. cycling fans, offering more live cycling event coverage throughout the year than any other streaming service. But it’s going to cost much more than before for access to the same races.
A base Max subscription alone won’t get you cycling access. Subscribers will need to add the B/R Sports Add-on in addition to the base Max subscription. A base Max subscription starts at $9.95 a month with ads or $15.99 a month without ads. Yearlong base subscriptions are available for $99.99 or $149.99, with or without ads.
The B/R Sports Add-on is an additional $9.95 a month, or free for a limited time with a yearlong subscription according to the Max website.
That means the cheapest option for continuing to watch the races that were previously streamed on GCN+ in the U.S. is $100 if you subscribe to the ad-supported version and take advantage of the year of the free B/R Sports Add-on. Once that deal expires, the cheapest option for cycling streaming will be $220 per year between the base Max subscription and the sports package.
And sadly, as with GCN+, Max will not be a one-stop destination to watch cycling and racing in the U.S.
Max does not have the rights to all events in the U.S. Some live cycling events in the U.S. and Canada will continue to be broadcast via FloBikes, while NBC’s streaming service Peacock will air several major races including the Tour de France.