German television preparing to pull the plug on Tour de France coverage?

Packing it: ZDF and ARD, the public German channels, stopped their broadcasts starting with stage 10, following the positive control of Patrik Sinkewitz.

Packing it: ZDF and ARD, the public German channels, stopped their broadcasts starting with stage 10, following the positive control of Patrik Sinkewitz. (Image credit: AFP Photo)

German public television is ready to take the step and remove itself from Tour de France coverage. The ARD and ZDF are contractually obligated to show the Tour again this year, but they are not expected to sign on for further coverage in years to come, according to the German newspaper TAZ.