Here’s the free-to-air satellite details for the first big French cycle race of the year. Please add any updates in the comments, particularly any UK coverage.
Sunday 9 March – 15:10 France 3, Amilly – Amilly 9km ITT (highlights 00:50 CET Eurosport)
Monday 9 March – 14:45-16:30 CET Eurosport, Saint-Brisson-sur-Loire – La Chapelle-Saint-Ursin
Tuesday 10 March – 14:45-16:30 CET Eurosport, Orval – Vichy (highlghts 13:30 CET Wednesday)
Wednesday 11 March – 14:30-16:30 CET Eurosport, Vichy – Saint-Étienne
Thursday 12 March – 14:30-16:30 CET Eurosport, Annonay – Vallon-Pont-d’Arc
Friday 13 March – 14:30-16:30 CET Eurosport, Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux – La Montagne de Lure
Saturday 14 March – 14:30-16:30 CET Eurosport and France 2, Manosque – Fayence
Sunday 15 March – 13:25-15:20 CET France 3, Nice-Nice 119km (highlights 15:35-16:30 CET Eurosport, repeated Monday 14:00)
Eurosport means the German free-to-air channel at 19e, France 2 and France 3 are the free-to-air versions at 5w. I’m pretty sure it won’t be on RTBF-Sat or live on itv4, but I suspect it may be on RAI Sport Pìu live. Please leave a comment if you spot it first!
No prologue on RAI Sports Più, but the first proper stage will be shown on Monday.
Monday 9 March – 1700-1930 CET RAI Sports Più, Saint-Brisson-sur-Loire – La Chapelle-Saint-Ursin
Comment by Dave F — 2009-03-04 @ 01:41+00:00
Looks like France 4 will be showing P-N during the week. Available in the UK via TNT Sat on Astra.
Brian
Comment by BrianL — 2009-03-06 @ 12:10+00:00
OK, I’m a bit out of touch with recent French developments: how does one get TNT Sat on Astra?
Comment by MJ Ray — 2009-03-07 @ 02:53+00:00
Free to air in France, TNT Sat (17 channels)is transmitted from Astra 19.2 but requires a dedicated receiver and card (supplied with the receiver) two models (Sagem & Strong in standard and HD versions) of which are widely available in supermarkets and electrical stores in France. TNT is the French equivalent of our Freeview. I bought mine about 12 months ago in Carrefour Lille for about £100. No forms to fill in, just take it to the check out. The receiver can also pick up all the other Astra FTA channels and also be set to selected FR3 regional programmes.
I believe that it is sometimes possible to pick up French TNT programmes on the south coast with a UK Freeview receiver.
Brian
Comment by BrianL — 2009-03-08 @ 04:07+00:00