TNT Sports replaces BBC as Commonwealths live broadcaster

TNT Sports has taken over as the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games’ live UK broadcast partner.

The subscription channel outbid the BBC, which had been the main sponsor, and had broadcast free-to-air coverage for 18 games straight since 1954.

TNT Sports, a division of Warner Bros. Discovery, is renowned for showcasing selected English Premier League games as well as Uefa Champions League games.

In a “re-imagining” of the games, which will include 10 sports and six para sports, TNT Sports announced it would broadcast more than 600 hours of live coverage.

Its coverage would be “comprehensive, immersive, and accessible,” according to Scott Young, executive vice president of Warner Bros Discovery Sports Europe.

We are confident that our approach will celebrate the Commonwealth Games’ history while exuding unmatched ferocity and excitement when telling its rivals’ stories.

The deal, according to Phil Batty, CEO of Glasgow 2026, will provide more hours of sports coverage for the games than ever before.

He continued, “Our shared goal is to bring coverage of the Games to new and expanding audiences through this broadcast partnership, secured by Commonwealth Sport.”

According to the Broadcasting Act, the Commonwealth Games are a protected event.

As long as free-to-air broadcasters receive some secondary coverage, this permits live coverage on subscription television.

The BBC said it would continue to contact Glasgow 2026 organizers to discuss promoting as much of the Games on its platforms.

The BBC has been providing coverage of the Commonwealth Games for many years, according to a spokesperson.

Following the backing of the Scottish government, Glasgow was given the go-ahead for a deal in September of last year.

Twelve years after the city last hosted the Games in 2014, a smaller version of the event with fewer athletes and sports will take place.

The multi-sport event was originally planned for the Australian state of Victoria, but due to rising costs, it withdrew.

A multi-million pound investment was promised by Australian authorities to aid in the closing of the deal.

Between July 23 and August 2, 2018, the 23rd edition of the Games will host 3, 000 participants from 74 countries and territories.

The BBC will be disappointed that the Commonwealth Games won’t be broadcast live on TV.

The bigger issue is not, however, whether or not BBC Television will offer live coverage.

It’s about the fact that no major free-to-air TV station will broadcast the games live in whole.

A major sporting event on a free TV channel like the BBC, ITV, or Channel 4 can reunite a large audience from a variety of backgrounds.

Even late at night, the World Cup games involving Scotland and England for the upcoming year are certain to generate large ratings.

Since 1970, the BBC has broadcast live coverage of every Commonwealth Games held in the UK.

However, it has also contributed to making recent UK games like those at Manchester in 2002, Glasgow in 2014, and Birmingham in 2022 feel special to the host cities.

During the 2014 Olympics, the BBC held a variety of cultural events besides BBC Scotland’s Glasgow headquarters.

Glasgow provided coverage of the entire Games’ broadcast schedule in addition to the coverage of the Olympics.

These Commonwealth Games are smaller than those. Without any funding from the government, Glasgow will host them on short notice, and the organizers want to make the most money possible.

Despite the organizers’ efforts to sway interest, the occasion feels very different this time.

Nowhere is it discussed leaving a lasting impression on the city, whether it is through new construction, significant sports facilities, or benefits for the environment.

Highlights will still be available on a terrestrial TV channel, and there might even be live coverage on a major channel.