Commonwealth Games organisers caused an angry backlash today after awarding the media rights for the Glasgow event to pay television service TNT Sports.
The subscription channel outbid the BBC, which had been the main partner and provided free-to-air coverage since 1954 for 18 games in a row.
Scottish Health Secretary Neil Gray said he had met with Games officials today “to express disappointment” and pressed for the games to be free.”
One businessman said the people of Glasgow had helped rescue the Games and were now being told they had to pay up to watch the event on TV.”
TNT Sports is part of Warner Bros Discovery and is best known for screening Uefa Champions League matches as well as selected English Premier League fixtures.
The BBC said it was “unable to match” TNT’s bid to screen the 23rd?edition of the Commonwealth Games which will welcome 3,000 athletes from 74 nations and territories between 23 July and 2 August.
Commonwealth Sports said the decision to award live broadcast rights to Warner Bros. Discovery’s channels and platforms “reflects its rich storytelling history as the Home of the Olympic Games, and the bold ambition of the Commonwealth Games”.
It said fans will enjoy more hours of live coverage than ever before with athlete stories elevated, and new, innovative ways for audiences to be closer to the action of one of the biggest sporting events in Europe next summer.
However, Mr Gray said: “Incredibly disappointed by this decision. We asked UKGov to protect Games as free to air, pressed BBC to make a meaningful bid & Commonwealth Sport to ensure we could all watch for free. I’ve met with @thecgf today to express disappointment & pressed for Games to be free.”
Businessman Ian McKay said: “I’m at something of a loss to understand why the good people of Glasgow and their elected representatives should put themselves out at considerable effort and likely considerable expense and disruption, to save the CommonwealthGames … and then find that the spectacle is not available to them on TV and instead they will have to sign up to a paywall set by a global USA entertainment company?”
The 23rd?edition of the Commonwealth Games will welcome 3,000 athletes from 74 nations and territories between 23 July and 2 August.
TNT Sports said it would show more than 600 hours of live coverage in a “re-imagining” of the games, which will feature 10 sports and six para sports.
The broadcaster said every event would be streamed on HBO Max, which is due to launch in the UK and Ireland in March.
Katie Sadleir CNZM, CEO of Commonwealth Sport, said: “This is another landmark moment as we continue to re-imagine what a Commonwealth Games looks and feels like for athletes and fans alike.
“With a heavyweight broadcast partner like Warner Bros. Discovery onboard across the UK and Europe for Glasgow 2026 and the recent decision to award the 2030 Commonwealth Games to India, alongside strong interest for 2034, the future of our Movement has never been more secure.
“Our partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery opens up exciting new ways for fans to connect with the action. With more events available live and a strong focus on athlete storytelling, fans will be closer to the Games than ever before.”
Scott Young, EVP at Warner Bros. Discovery Sports Europe, said: “As a premium multi-sport broadcaster, we have a proven ability to connect sports fans and audiences with the world’s biggest sports events and their athletes.
“We will bring this storytelling heritage and production expertise to the Commonwealth Games where our coverage of Glasgow 2026 will be comprehensive, immersive and accessible.
“With coverage of every sport and athlete on our streaming platforms, we are confident our approach will celebrate the history of the Commonwealth Games while telling new stories of its competitors with unmatched energy and excitement.”
Phil Batty, CEO of Glasgow 2026, said: “This broadcast partnership, secured by Commonwealth Sport, reflects our shared ambition to take coverage of the Games to new and growing audiences.
“With significant investment into the breadth and depth of content to be platformed for Glasgow 2026, we are hugely excited by the opportunity to collaborate with the talented team at Warner Bros. Discovery.
“This is a Games for a new era of Commonwealth Sport and this partnership sets us up for an incredible showcase of sport in Glasgow next summer.”
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