Peacock vs GCN + VPN for Tour

[professerr]

A couple years ago I watched the Tour de France via Peacock by subscribing for a month (and then, naturally, forgetting to unsubscribe, so actually two months). It was pretty great coverage, though if I recall correctly, there was one set of commentators (Bob Roll I think) for the live coverage and a different set for the replay and/or overviews.

Generally, I like the GCN content, notwitstanding the product placements. My unnderstanding is you can subscribe to GCN and watch the Tour if, and only if, you access their site via a VPN. I've got a VPN, Nord. I also would like a break from Bob Roll, tbh, but I've no idea who the commentators are for VPN.

So any thoughts on which is the better way to go?


Edit: did a search on this but didn't see the sort of similar thread just a short scroll down the page -- mods feel free to merge/delete as you deem fit

[deluz]

I have been using GCN + NordVPN and it has been great.
Commentators vary, not sure who they will be for the TDF.

[lavi]

GCN now has Robbie McEwen. Not sure if he's on the TDF crew, but I cannot imagine him not being on.

I do like Bob Roll. I liked the big, fat skull ring he was rocking a while ago. But CVdV, I kinda want to punch him for no particular reason. Though, I bet he's a super nice dude. At least he finally got that whopper of a (guaca)mole removed.

[crankles]

Originally Posted by deluz

I have been using GCN + NordVPN and it has been great.
Commentators vary, not sure who they will be for the TDF.

This is the combo I use as well.

[VaBchMatt]

https://procyclinguk.com/cycling-com...port-gcn-2022/

[RoosterCogset]

On regular cable, appears TdF will be on USA network.

[bravebear]

last year i went between the NBC broadcast and the GCN one regularly.

I actually didn't have a preference besides that on GCN+ i didnt have to deal with the advertisements.

Yeah Phil is getting old but his voice brings some nostalgia of the Phil and Paul days.

I wish GCN used the crew that they had for Flanders. I think it was Carlton and Robbie for a while. Between the in depth commentary and the puns/jokes, it was very entertaining.

Not a huge fan of the GCN main guy Rob Hatch. Nothing super against him, just dont find him very entertaining like their other crew.

[Red Tornado]

Originally Posted by lavi

GCN now has Robbie McEwen. Not sure if he's on the TDF crew, but I cannot imagine him not being on.

I do like Bob Roll. I liked the big, fat skull ring he was rocking a while ago. But CVdV, I kinda want to punch him for no particular reason. Though, I bet he's a super nice dude. At least he finally got that whopper of a (guaca)mole removed.

I like Bobke. He's quite a character, seems like he tones it down somewhat for broadcasts though. I'm in the same camp as you regarding van de Velde; always enjoyed Chris Horner's take on things.

Probably one of my all time fav's was several years ago listening to Sean Kelly during MSR.

[benadrian]

I've been doing the GCN+ and ExpressVPN for all races.

The only thing that I miss is the occasional in depth story that NBC would do on a rider, a location, or some piece of racing history. Other than that, I much prefer the GCN crew for actual race coverage and insight.

[Elefantino]

Originally Posted by bravebear

the Phil and Paul days

Toward the end, they were…

[roguedog]

That was a good chuckle.

Though.. I was kinda in the camp that Phil and Paul's voices were kinda part of the Tour. Haven't really enjoyed commentary as much .. though I'd say I dig Bobke cuz he's just funny and seems like a cool guy.

Everyone else is kinda ho hum... GCN dude in the past, eh. CVV, eh.. like no personality.

Originally Posted by Elefantino

Toward the end, they were…

[reuben]

Originally Posted by crankles

This is the combo I use as well.

GCN+ and ExpressVPN used to work for me, but lately I haven't been able to pipe it.to my TV. Can you use NordVPN to get around coverage limits and get GCN to your TV using Roku or Chromecast?

Connection methods seem to vary - router -> TV, router -> PC -> TV, router -> phone -> TV.

[PQJ]

Peacock offers broadcast coverage on USA and their own dedicated coverage. The guys doing the dedicated coverage are good (don't know their names), and it is completely commercial free, so hard to beat, esp. at $10 for the month. I miss the days of Phil and Paul's mellifluous banter; I came around to liking Bob, too. Sure Phil and Paul got a bit long in the tooth. The reason I won't watch any USA coverage this time is the commercials.

[dbnm]

Are there commercials if you have Peacock Premium Plus?

[NormansCay]

Originally Posted by dbnm

Are there commercials if you have Peacock Premium Plus?

Watching Peacock now with no commercials, it's also on USA with Phil and Bob with commercials.