TNT Sports, the UK broadcast partner for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, has faced heavy criticism from viewers over its coverage. For the first time in 72 years, the Games are not free-to-air, with TNT holding exclusive live rights behind a paywall.
The BBC, which previously covered the event, said: "Our bid was unable to match the financial offer from the market. We wish them every success for next year."
Viewer Backlash
On X, many viewers have voiced outrage over poor commentary, glitching, and lengthy studio segments. One fumed: "Put the Commonwealth Games on for a bit and TNT's coverage is borderline unwatchable. Meant to be a reasonably serious sporting event and they've turned it into an incredibly awkward chat show."
A second added: "Commonwealth games coverage on @tntsports is so amateur it’s embarrassing, commentary awful, miss half the action due to stupid camera angles or for spending 80% of the time in the studio talking about how busy and electric the games are… wouldn’t know never see any sport!"
Another viewer directly addressed TNT: "This coverage of the commonwealth games is appalling. I don't think I've seen an actual race start and when you go over to a race you go to an advert first. Shocking."
A fourth echoed: "TNT Commonwealth Games coverage is weird. Way too much focus on the bigger names in each event and not enough decent sport analysis. The viewing figures can’t be great at all either. It should never be on a subscription channel."
Comparison to BBC
Many viewers compared the coverage to the BBC's usual standards. One commented: "Don't want to moan but my God this Commonwealth games coverage on TNT is awful! Makes you realise how professional and polished the BBC is #CommonwealthGames."
Another said: "Watched a fair chunk of the Commonwealth Games this evening and to say TNT’s coverage is eyebrow raising is an understatement. Punditry/commentary great on the whole but some of the TV directives are really odd."
Limited Free Coverage
Some live coverage has been broadcast on BBC Alba and iPlayer between 5:30pm and 10pm each evening, but the majority is shown on TNT Sports.
Event Details
The Commonwealth Games runs until August 2, when the closing ceremony will take place at the OVO Hydro.
