For the first time since the 1950s, the BBC will have no broadcasting rights for the Commonwealth Games. The event returns to Glasgow this summer, but live coverage has been secured by TNT Sports after it outbid rivals.
It had been widely expected that the BBC would still receive a free-to-air highlights package, but Channel 5 has stepped in to provide that instead. This marks the end of more than 70 years of BBC involvement with the Games.
The BBC has also lost rights to other major events this year, including The Boat Race and live England matches in the men's Six Nations. The corporation's director of sport, Alex Kay-Jelski, said the BBC does not need to air live sport to stay relevant, as long as it remains part of the conversation.
Channel 5 will broadcast free highlights of the Games, which will feature around 600 hours of live coverage on TNT Sports. The competition runs for 11 days in Glasgow, which stepped in after Victoria, Australia, withdrew due to cost overruns.
