The BBC has lost its role as the live broadcaster for the Commonwealth Games, with TNT Sports stepping in as the sole rights holder for the 2026 event in Glasgow.

While it’s not yet clear how much viewers will need to pay for TNT Sports’ subscription service, it is anticipated that highlights and delayed live broadcasts will still be accessible on free-to-air television.

The BBC has been the primary broadcaster for the Commonwealth Games since 1954, having covered 18 editions in a row. However, TNT Sports, a subsidiary of Warner Bros Discovery, outbid the BBC for the broadcasting rights.

TNT Sports plans to deliver over 600 hours of live coverage through a dedicated channel in the UK and Ireland, with every sport and event available for streaming on HBO Max*. This offering more than doubles the broadcast hours from the Birmingham 2022 Games.

This change follows months of speculation regarding the BBC’s commitment, amid reports of hesitation and a perceived decline in enthusiasm for the Games.

THE BBC have been replaced as exclusive rights holder for the Commonwealth Games by TNT Sports

First Minister John Swinney with the Glasgow 2026 mascot and local schoolchildren

In July, First Minister John Swinney told Daily Mail Sport he wanted to keep the event on a free-to-air basis .

‘I do hope an agreement can be reached,’ he said at the time. ‘ I think it’s important. This is a really significant sporting occasion. We’ve gone to a lot of careful planning and thought to make sure the Games could take place. They were in jeopardy.

‘We’ve come to a solution of a slimmed-down Games which I think will be a really attractive proposition, but it would benefit from broadcasting rights domestically.’

Conservative MSP Brian Whittle had claimed the Games’ future could be in doubt if the BBC were not involved, and urged the UK government to step in if necessary.

The national broadcaster could still provide some live, free-to-air content in conjunction with Discovery. Discussions are believed to to be under way and it’s thought a deal could be agreed over coming months.

Even so, it represents the loss of another event for which the BBC once enjoyed full rights. They lost the Boat Race to Channel 4 in October, with the Paralympic Games, golf’s Masters and The Open, and major events on the horse racing calendar including the Grant National, Royal Ascot and the Derby among other rights they have lost in recent years.

Under the Media Act 2024, the Commonwealth Games are considered a Category B event, which means they can be shown live on subscription TV but with the requirement that free-to-air broadcasters receive adequate alternative coverage such as highlights or delayed broadcasts.

A key point for viewers who want full live coverage of the Glasgow Games will clearly be any costs attributed to watching on a subscription model.

Usain Bolt was star attraction last time the Games were held in Glasgow in 2014

It’s understood that, as a ‘culturally significant event’, it will be made available on the lowest subscription tier of Discovery Plus (soon to change to HBO Max). Rather than paying £31 a month, for example, subscribers will be able to access the Games for approximately £4.50.

Hailing the new broadcast arrangement, Commonwealth Sport CEO Katie Sadleir 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, added: ‘It is great to welcome Warner Bros Discovery to the Glasgow 2026 family of broadcasters as the new home for the Commonwealth Games in the UK and Europe. In Scotland, we committed to a bold re-imagining of the Games, innovative, future focused and with sports fans at the centre of the action. The partnership with Warner Bros Discovery will celebrate our athletes, embrace new content formats, and drive more hours of sport coverage for the Commonwealth Games than ever before.

Scottish swimmer Duncan Scott is expected to be a star name at the Glasgow edition

Commonwealth Sport CEO Katie Sadleir has welcomed the new live broadcasting arrangement

‘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.’

Glasgow stepped in to save the Games following Australia’s decision to pull out because of a significant rise in costs.

A revised edition, which is being used as a blueprint for future Games, will see the event stripped down to ten sports and six para sports across four venues in the city.

Organisers secured £100millon from the Australians to host, and made it clear that no public money will be used, although the UK government will provide financial support should there be an increased security threat.

The Glasgow Games will be held from July 23 to August 2 next year.