The BBC has lost the rights to broadcast the Commonwealth Games after 72 years, with Channel 5 securing a daily highlights programme for the 2026 event in Glasgow. The athletics competition was last held in Birmingham in 2022.
TNT Sports, owned by Warner Bros Discovery (WBD), acquired live rights last year and has now sublicensed highlights to Channel 5, according to The Guardian. Games bosses praised the partnership with TNT and WBD.
Katie Sadleir, chief executive 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 on board 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."
She added: "With more events available live and a strong focus on athlete storytelling, fans will be closer to the Games than ever before."
The BBC's loss of Commonwealth Games rights follows a pattern of broadcast shifts. Under a new four-year deal from 2026 to 2029, the BBC lost rights to England men's Six Nations home and away fixtures. ITV becomes the exclusive home for all England Six Nations matches, while the BBC can broadcast five matches per season focusing on Scotland and Wales, plus Women's and Under-20 Six Nations.
Additionally, the BBC will no longer air the Boat Race from 2026. Channel 4's deal includes the Women's Boat Race centenary in 2027 and the Men's Boat Race bicentenary in 2029. The 2025 renewal drew 2.6 million viewers.
The BBC retains live TV rights for Wimbledon until 2027 but has lost exclusive highlights rights, raising concerns about its sports portfolio.
