Pedal Power: NBC Keeps Rights To Amgen Tour Of California Through '19

The status quo will suit the Amgen Tour of California cycling race just fine, as a week after renewing title sponsorship rights with the biotech giant, tour owner AEG has extended its media rights deal with NBC Sports Group through '19. Under the extension, NBC will retain comprehensive rights on all platforms and will air up to 16 hours of live coverage of NBC and NBCSN, with streaming on NBC Sports Live Extra. Coverage of this year’s race starts Sunday at 5:00pm ET on NBCSN, and the final stage will air May 22 on NBC. Financial terms were not disclosed, but NBC and AEG will work together on production and sales. Viewership for the race has been modest but growing in recent years. The premiere broadcast of the '15 event averaged 194,000 viewers, up 30% from two years earlier, according to Nielsen. Phil Liggett, Paul Sherwen and Christian Vande Velde will call the action, with reporting from Steve Schlanger. International rights are held by Tour de France organizer Amaury Sport Organisation.