The media on the Tour

Created by L’Auto magazine, Le Tour de France has from the outset been partly linked with the development of the print media. An epic sport “par excellence”, cycling inspired journalists to wax lyrical and enthuse their readers. The full gamut of journalistic exercises were lavished upon Le Tour, from writers’ chronicles and editorials to caricatures, full-page photos, magazines, and portraits…

So Le Tour has grown up with the press, but there is no doubt that the press has also grown up with Le Tour. In 1930, radio was exploring live broadcasting. In 1948, French television attempted a first external live broadcast from the finish at Paris, after which it continually made use of la Grande Boucle to set itself new technological challenges. In today’s 21^st century, with the event now broadcast in 186 countries around the planet, the dawn of the digital age is unveiling new issues, both in the new media (web, mobiles, etc.) and in television. In 2007, the race was broadcast for the first time in hi-definition.

• 650 medias
• 2,500 journalists, photographers, cameramen and consultants
• 1,800 technicians, pilots and drivers

On bike, in choppers or on platforms at the finish areas, 260 cameramen, including 30 from France Télévisions, capture images from the race and its sidelines, on behalf of 118 TV channels with live coverage on 60 channels and pictures broadcast in 186 countries.

240 of them cover la Grande Boucle, shooting the riders for their paper or one of the 70 photo agencies which market their product worldwide.

75 radio stations, are represented on Le Tour.

Nearly 450 places are provided each day for journalists from the print media, working for 350 publications or accredited agencies.