Started having the TDF on in the background as a distraction for the silence and I’ve noticed the ad breaks are completely random on this coverage.

Just now as an example – we got the stage winner and the chase groups crossing the line and then we went to an ad break…which lasted maybe 3 minutes. We then came back to Greg and 2 riders giving us their take on the win – lasted about 3 minutes – and we’ve not gone for another ad break.

Made me realise that the ad breaks during the coverage does seem to be slightly random – anyone know why that is? The stuff that is being covered doesn’t appear to be exciting so it isn’t as if they are holding on for some action to show. Now the main event is done I can see why they’d do some chat to fill time but why only have 3 minutes before another ad break (which is still running so that is about 5 minutes).

Coverage seems good but the ad breaks are confusing me (just in case the last 3 paragraphs didn’t make that clear!).

I agree entirely and for that reason I signed up to GCN+ with no ad breaks at all.

They generally don’t do ad breaks for the last 45mins to an hour of the stage, they then need to get a few in quickly to make up for the shortfall in revenue.

The constant stream of charity adverts tugging as hard as they can on our heartstrings is… Desensitising.

The combination of accident solicitors, equity release gits and cremation services is drawing me in…

Those adverts don’t bother me.

By the way, can anyone recommend somewhere for my abandoned donkey to stay whilst me and mrs go on our river cruise? I’ll miss the walk-in bath and the mechanical awning but at least I’ll have excellent life insurance and that pension plan comes with a nice free pen.

Highlight programme is a waste of time, most of it is ad’s or the presenters blathering on about crap when all I want to see is the racing

Does anyone do live and adverts? I’m thinking you could cut the live chat and split screen the two visuals. I’m sure someone will say everyone will ignore the adverts and focus on the live stream but we all ignore the adverts anyway don’t we?

Obviously, without adverts there is no free coverage so I am happy to switch my brain off whilst the adverts are on or go and do something and then come back to it when they return. And as said before, they pack the advert breaks in so that there is live uninterrupted coverage for the last 45 mins or whatever it is

The combination of Skoda cars, Continental tyres and caffeinated shampoo is drawing me in…

I’ll even suffer the GCN+ commentary to avoid the ITV ads

They generally don’t do ad breaks for the last 45mins to an hour of the stage, they then need to get a few in quickly to make up for the shortfall in revenue.

Also the adverts are sold based on viewing figures. These will peak at the finish. So they can better make a return on the investment of making a 4+ hour live TV program with a few late add breaks.

I basically switch it on live at the start. Hit pause & do something else for 30 minutes. Then just watch it & fast forward through the ads.

Ned Boulting explained it once, they have to show so many ads per 2 hour period, so if it looks like a lull, they’ll do a few in quick succession, but if there has been a lot of close racing for last 40-50km, then they may have to fit a few in just after the racing ends…

I have to pay for GCN though, i can’t do all the ads, plus i don’t mind the commentary when Dan Lloyd, Rob Hatch et al and doing it, i wish they would do a Steve Wright on Carlton Kirby and realise he is past his prime and ship him off to cover racing in Greenland or somewhere.

By the way, can anyone recommend somewhere for my abandoned donkey to stay whilst me and mrs go on our river cruise?

Could you donate it to the African child who has to walk 5km to get water?
Always thought it’d be worth pairing those two up…

I paid for ITV+ which is supposed to be ad free. It is on the normal TV stuff but the TDF had more than it’s fair share even if it is less. They do warn you that’s the case but it’s still too fing many by far! Really, really annoying particularly as the ads appear to be on a loop……

The constant stream of charity adverts tugging as hard as they can on our heartstrings is… Desensitising.

Not too mention the downright depressing ads about cremation & funeral costs – not everybody watching afternoon TV is about to croak FFS!

Normally I’d just watch bog standard Eurosport (not GCN type stiuff)…. probably turn the sound off for Kirby. However, we’ve been In France since the start and will be through to the finish at the weekend…. so watching on ITV 4 on Freesat. Happy enough with the actual cover and commentary of Ned and co but the ads are just a pain… mostly unrelenting misery and depression. A complete turn off and cerainly don’t get watched.

From the adverts I assume that the average ITV4 viewer is sadly close to death and also being badgered by their kids to remortgage the house.

Cycle SOS is what I will need as I ride into a truck having to listen to any more GCN drivel. It’s like paint-by-numbers for cycling. Much prefer listening to Millar et Al.

I just hit the mute button when the adverts start,as opposed to hitting the mute button on GCN+ when certain commentators start…

At least the Viagra ads are targeting the right demographic – middle aged men who have spent too long on the saddle!

I’ll even suffer the GCN+ commentary to avoid the ITV ads

That’s where I am too. I record and watch the ITV highlights though as I like their content (Ned, David, Pete, Frebos) plus Boardman when there and Lizzie Deignan has been a great addition.

The Never Strays Car podcast is a good listen too.

Highlight programme is a waste of time, most of it is ad’s or the presenters blathering on about crap when all I want to see is the racing

I think the highlight programme is great. It’s the access point for most ‘casual’ viewers, and it’s also good for finding out stuff that happened after the live broadcast, or that you might have missed during the afternoon.

As for the filler bits, they are brilliant for those new to the sport, and really only get wheeled out on properly boring days. Obviously, after a few years of watching pro racing you might know a lot of the things that they talk about, but after a few decades of watching pro cycling you’ll have forgotten a lot of the names and lesser highlights, so it can still entertain.

i wish they would do a Steve Wright on Carlton Kirby and realise he is past his prime and ship him off

I honestly prefer him to Rob Hatch, he seems more chilled and isn’t trying to over-dramatise the action so much.

As discussed on another recent thread, I think the trick to enjoying Carlton’s work is to imagine that he’s actually Alan Partridge (but good at his job).

The last 3 breaks yesterday were very close together – 16:20, 16:29 and 16:41, but you did have 40 minutes of uninterrupted coverage prior to that.

And while I would have hoped that lots of us young upmarket desirable audience would be watching it, in actual fact 89% of yesterday’s live show audience was aged 55 and over, and 57% of them claim not have done any sport in the past year – so looks like it’s the usual ITV4 daytime audience who are watching it (and therefore the advertisers targeting that audience are the ones that get placed there).

Just had the cremation service advert boasting about their trustpilot rating, made me chuckle… Almost tempted to look them up for the “I haven’t used it yet” reviews

I was just about to post similar…good to know that the cremation service has wifi on the other side to allow reviews to be posted!

Always tape it and then just FF through the ads, prefer itv4 commentary to GCN. Don’t have the time to watch it live every day unfortunately.

The advert breaks on itv4 give me a chance to do little chores. Otherwise we watch it later and fast forward. Really enjoying the addition of Lizzy and Dan to Dave, Ned, Pete and Matt. Hoping Chris will be back in the next few days.

I honestly prefer him to Rob Hatch, he seems more chilled and isn’t trying to over-dramatise the action so much.

Unfortunately Carleton often sees things that haven’t happened.