The BBC has been outbid by TNT Sports for the rights to broadcast the Commonwealth Games, ending a tradition that has seen the corporation air the event since 1954. The upcoming games in Glasgow will not be shown on the BBC. The Commonwealth Games has been a staple on the BBC for 18 consecutive events, with the event a much-loved affair, but the corporation conceded it « was unable to match » the bid from TNT Sports. Known primarily for its football coverage, TNT Sports is now branching out into athletics, after surrendering its Champions League coverage this year.
A spokesperson for the BBC expressed regret, saying: « The BBC has been proud to broadcast the Commonwealth Games over many years, but our bid was unable to match the financial offer from the market. We wish them every success for next year. » Scott Young, executive vice-president at Warner Bros. Discovery Sports Europe, expressed excitement about the new venture.
He said: « As a premium multi-sport broadcaster, we have a proven ability to connect sports fans and audiences with the world ‘s biggest sports events and their athletes.
« We will bring this storytelling heritage and production expertise to the Commonwealth Games where our coverage of Glasgow 2026 will be comprehensive, immersive and accessible.
« With coverage of every sport and athlete on our streaming platforms, we are confident our approach will celebrate the history of the Commonwealth Games while telling new stories of its competitors with unmatched energy and excitement. »
Katie Sadleir, Chief Executive of Commonwealth Sport, said « This is another landmark moment as we continue to re-imagine what a Commonwealth Games looks and feels like for athletes and fans alike.
« With a heavyweight broadcast partner like Warner Bros. Discovery onboard across the UK and Europe for Glasgow 2026 and the recent decision to award the 2030 Commonwealth Games to India, alongside strong interest for 2034, the future of our Movement has never been more secure.
« Our partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery opens up exciting new ways for fans to connect with the action. With more events available live and a strong focus on athlete storytelling, fans will be closer to the Games than ever before. »
Phil Batty OBE, Chief Executive of Glasgow 2026, added: « It is great to welcome Warner Bros. Discovery to the Glasgow 2026 family of broadcasters as the new home for the Commonwealth Games in the UK and Europe. In Scotland, we committed to a bold re-imagining of the Games, innovative, future focused and with sports fans at the centre of the action.
« The partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery will celebrate our athletes, embrace new content formats, and drive more hours of sport coverage for the Commonwealth Games than ever before.
« This broadcast partnership, secured by Commonwealth Sport, reflects our shared ambition to take coverage of the Games to new and growing audiences. »
He concluded: « With significant investment into the breadth and depth of content to be platformed for Glasgow 2026, we are hugely excited by the opportunity to collaborate with the talented team at Warner Bros. Discovery. This is a Games for a new era of Commonwealth Sport, and this partnership sets us up for an incredible showcase of sport in Glasgow next summer. »
Source link
