In a seismic shift for British sports broadcasting, the BBC has been stripped of its rights to air the Commonwealth Games for the first time in over seven decades. The historic change comes after TNT Sports secured the exclusive UK and European broadcast rights, outbidding the public service broadcaster for the 2026 event in Glasgow.
End of an Era for the BBC
The loss marks a profound break with tradition. The BBC has been the home of the Commonwealth Games since 1954, covering 18 consecutive editions of the multi-sport event. A spokesperson for the corporation confirmed the move, stating their bid "was unable to match the financial offer from the market." They added that the BBC had been "proud to broadcast the Commonwealth Games over many years" and wished the new broadcaster success.
A New Broadcast Champion Emerges
The rights have been awarded to Warner Bros. Discovery Sports Europe, which operates TNT Sports. The channel, best known for its coverage of football's UEFA Champions League, will now make a significant foray into major athletics broadcasting. Scott Young, executive vice-president at Warner Bros. Discovery Sports Europe, said the broadcaster would use its "storytelling heritage and production expertise" to deliver "comprehensive, immersive and accessible" coverage.
Every sport and athlete will be available on their streaming platforms, promising extensive live coverage and a strong emphasis on athlete narratives. The deal is seen as a key part of the organisers' plan to "re-imagine" the Games for a modern audience.
Securing the Future of the Games
Officials from Commonwealth Sport and the Glasgow 2026 organising committee have welcomed the partnership. Katie Sadleir, chief executive of Commonwealth Sport, called it a "landmark moment" that helps secure the future of the movement, following the recent award of the 2030 Games to India and strong interest for 2034.
Phil Batty OBE, chief executive of Glasgow 2026, emphasised that the partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery aligns with Scotland's commitment to an "innovative, future focused" event with fans at its centre. He stated the deal would "drive more hours of sport coverage for the Commonwealth Games than ever before."
The 2026 Commonwealth Games are scheduled to take place in Glasgow next summer, but for the first time in 72 years, British viewers will need to tune into TNT Sports to watch the action.
