GCN is superior to both…but especially the USA coverage. I could accept the Int’l broadcast OK (despite their errors yesterday), but GCN is still the best coverage, IMO. Rotating the announcers throughout the broadcast helps keep things fresher and new insights get brought in as a result.
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The global feed, mostly because I prefer KMs to Miles and because there’s a certain commentator on the U.S. feed who … let’s just say, he rubs me the wrong way.
But rather than focus on the negatives of Peacock, I’d rather talk about the things I like about the GCN+ feed. First off, it seems like there are fewer interruptions. Second, I just really like the personalities of many of the presenters and how they interact with each other. Wiggo was never my favorite rider, but I love his excitement when he’s reporting from the back of the bike. I also love “The Breakaway” show that bookends the races. The way that Dan, Orla, Adam, and Robbie banter and take the p__, while also providing interesting insights into the race makes it very entertaining.
I’m a casual watcher, and last year GCN at $25 it was worth the hassle to watch it on my computer. But my preference is an Apple TV app, and Peacock+ International feed is pretty good plus its only $5 for TdF and $5 for Giro. I never ended up taking advantage of the other GCN+ content.
I’m doing peacock this year, it’s just too easy and cheap when I have roku’s on multiple TV’s vs. messing with VPN and streaming from computer with VPN. I tend to watch the international feed, no commercials when you go with the $10/mth option (US feed is only commercial free on replay, not live). I actually like Bob and Phil, just not in their current roles. Phil could maybe be a sidekick to a strong lead or maybe do special segments. Bob is an interesting dude in real life and outside the commentators box, it’s just not a good role for him being a play-by-play man.
I hear you about the hassle of using a VPN with a Roku, “smart” TV, AppleTV, etc. That said, I’ve got a home network setup such that it’s just a quick tap on my phone to switch everything to route through the VPN. Of course, that’s probably not something non-techies will want to bother setting up and maintaining.
As far as presenters go, love or hate Bob and Phil, for me they just don’t hold a candle to breadth and experience of all the ex pros on GCN: Dan Lloyd, Wiggo, Adam Blythe, Robbie McEwen, Rob Hatch, Bernie Eisel, Mat Stephens, and on and on.