The BBC has suffered a double blow in sports broadcasting, losing the rights to the Commonwealth Games and the Boat Race. TNT Sports, owned by Warner Bros. Discovery, secured the rights to the Commonwealth Games for 2026, outbidding the BBC. The corporation had broadcast the Games since 1954.
In a statement, the BBC expressed disappointment, saying its bid 'was unable to match the financial offer from the market.' The Games will move to TNT Sports, a channel that previously rebranded from BT Sport.
Meanwhile, Channel 4 has acquired the rights to the Boat Race, the annual rowing contest between Oxford and Cambridge universities. The BBC had televised the race since 1938, with a brief interruption from ITV between 2005 and 2009. The new deal includes the centenary of the Women's Boat Race in 2027 and the bicentenary of the Men's Boat Race in 2029.
Last year's Boat Race attracted record viewership, with the women's race becoming the most-watched female sporting event of 2025 at that time. BBC One coverage drew approximately 2.8 million viewers, with a peak of 2.18 million for the women's race.
Additionally, the BBC's contract to broadcast Wimbledon expires after the 2027 tournament. TNT Sports already holds rights to show highlights from 2025, having taken over a five-year deal initially signed by Eurosport in 2024. Wimbledon is considered the 'crown jewel' of the BBC's sports portfolio.
