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Tour de France Femmes partially broadcast on France Télévisions: Marion Rousse responds to criticism

From Le Figaro · () French

Translated from French, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • France Télévisions faces criticism for not broadcasting the entire Tour de France Femmes, often showing only the final two hours of stages.
  • Race director Marion Rousse acknowledged the criticism and stated that efforts are underway to achieve full broadcast coverage in the future.
  • Rousse cited the event's growing success and audience interest as reasons for considering extended broadcasting, though she noted that resources are a factor.

The Tour de France Femmes is drawing criticism from viewers frustrated by France Télévisions' limited broadcast coverage. While the race covers nine stages, only three are shown in their entirety, with viewers typically able to watch the final two hours of the remaining stages.

It must be possible to find space to broadcast the race in full.

— Internet userExpressing frustration over the limited broadcast of the Tour de France Femmes.

This partial coverage has sparked online complaints, with users questioning why the entire race cannot be broadcast, especially given the event's apparent success and the presence of France TV crews on site. Some commenters have drawn parallels to the Tour de France for men, noting that it also took many years to achieve full broadcast coverage.

It's far from being a huge scandal. [...] The men's Tour had to wait for the 94th edition to be broadcast in full.

— Caesar XVTempering criticism by comparing the situation to the historical broadcast coverage of the men's Tour de France.

Marion Rousse, the director of the Tour de France Femmes, has responded to the critiques. She expressed hope for a broadcast similar to that of the men's race, indicating that discussions are ongoing with France Télévisions and ASO, the event organizer. Rousse stated that the possibility of broadcasting stages in full is being actively considered.

It is a reflection that we are currently having and that we did not have before. I have spoken a lot with France Télévisions, with ASO (event organizer), there is a real reflection to broadcast the stages in their entirety in the future, because the girls deserve it, because it works well in terms of audience. The public wants to see women's cycling and that's great.

— Marion RousseAddressing criticism and discussing future broadcast plans for the Tour de France Femmes.

"The girls deserve it, because it works well in terms of audience. The public wants to see women's cycling and that's great," Rousse said, reflecting on the event's growing popularity. She noted that when the modern version of the race launched in 2022, the primary question was whether it would succeed. Now that it has become an essential competition with strong viewership, Rousse assured that a "real reflection" on more comprehensive TV coverage is in progress, acknowledging that "everything is a question of means."

everything is a question of means.

— Marion RousseAcknowledging that financial resources play a role in the extent of broadcast coverage.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Le Figaro in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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