The BBC won’t be displaying any of the historic occasion, which has been taken over by two rival broadcasters.
The BBC have suffered one other blow to its protection. (Picture: Getty)
For the primary time because the Fifties, the BBC could have no broadcasting rights to the Commonwealth Video games, as the celebrated sporting occasion returns to Scotland this summer time. Dwell TV and digital media rights to the Video games, final staged in Birmingham in 2022, had already been secured by TNT Sports activities after it outbid its opponents.
It had been anticipated that the BBC would nonetheless obtain a sublicensed free-to-air highlights package deal, together with each day round-ups and night highlights. Nonetheless, the BBC won’t broadcast the 2026 occasion in any respect, with Channel 5 stepping in to supply free public entry through highlights protection.
We use your sign-up to supply content material in methods you have consented to and to enhance our understanding of you. This may occasionally embody adverts from us and third events based mostly on our understanding. You’ll be able to unsubscribe at any time. Learn our Privateness Coverage
Associated articles
French Open semi-final cancelled as worrying assertion issued after Zverev win
Gareth Southgate lands new BBC gig simply days earlier than England’s World Cup marketing campaign
It represents the primary event in 72 years that the company could have no involvement in airing the Video games.
The BBC has suffered additional rights losses elsewhere this yr. In March, it was confirmed that the company wouldn’t broadcast any of The Boat Race, with Occasions Radio buying the radio rights after Channel 4 secured the tv rights. It additionally misplaced the reside broadcast rights to England’s males’s Six Nations fixtures.
Roughly 600 hours of reside Commonwealth Video games protection might be out there on TNT Sports activities this summer time. The competitors will span 11 days and be held in Glasgow.
The Video games have been initially meant to be hosted by Victoria in Australia. Nonetheless, the Victorian authorities withdrew its internet hosting plans owing to hovering value projections, with Glasgow — which final hosted in 2014 — stepping in as a substitute.
Channel 5 will broadcast the free-to-air highlights. Chief content material officer Ben Frow stated: “The Commonwealth Video games is among the standout occasions in a incredible summer time of sport this yr.
“Right here at 5 we’re delighted to be working with TNT Sports activities to convey the most important sports activities stars to a free-to-air viewers in the UK.”
The 2026 Commonwealth Video games won’t be lined by the BBC. (Picture: Getty Photos)
This represents the most recent in a succession of disappointments for the BBC. Priorities seem to have shifted throughout the broadcaster, which has been grappling with finances reductions.
Beforehand, The Open, reside Method 1 protection and reside Take a look at Match cricket featured prominently on the BBC’s platforms. Nonetheless, director of sport Alex Kay-Jelski conceded earlier this yr that broadcasting reside sport is now not important to keep up their place.
Talking on the Monetary Occasions Enterprise of Soccer convention, he stated: “My problem to us on the BBC on a regular basis is let’s simply ensure we’re within the dialog of the issues that matter.
“For instance, we have now audio rights to Method One however not video rights. However we nonetheless have reporting and reside pages and digital video that attract thousands and thousands and thousands and thousands and thousands and thousands of individuals.
“You’ll be able to nonetheless be related, you’ll be able to nonetheless matter in the event you do not present the game. Nobody on the market can present all of it. So, you simply must be sure to’re within the dialog.”
Leave a Reply