Commonwealth Games shift broadcasting to TNT Sports
The Commonwealth Games have stood behind their decision to shift British live broadcasting rights from the BBC to TNT Sports for the Glasgow Games, saying the latter has been “fantastic”, reports BritPanorama.
TNT has delivered 600 hours of coverage across the Games, which is triple the 200 hours the BBC broadcast from Birmingham in 2022.
The BBC’s longstanding association with the Commonwealth Games, dating back to 1954, ended after the corporation’s bid for the Glasgow rights fell short of competing offers. An industry source described the BBC’s proposal as “derisory, well below Birmingham,” adding that the Games might have faced jeopardy had rival broadcasters not provided stronger financial commitments.
Following the loss of the rights in December, a BBC spokesman stated: “The BBC has been proud to broadcast the Commonwealth Games over many years, but our bid was unable to match the financial offer from the market. We wish them every success for next year.” The corporation is expected to re-enter negotiations when broadcasting rights for the 2030 Games become available.
Katie Sadleir, chief executive of Commonwealth Games Sport, praised the partnership with Warner Bros Discovery, which owns TNT. She noted, “We are really proud of the decision we made with WBD and TNT. This is a new era in terms of creating an environment for multi-sport games. TNT has been a fantastic partner in terms of ensuring every single athlete has coverage.”
Sadleir also highlighted the innovative approach of TNT, citing experiences from spectators during weightlifting events that benefited from the platform’s 360-degree coverage. “For £4.99 to get 600 hours of television coverage, I think that’s a fantastic first step,” she added.
The Commonwealth Games also reported record levels of global broadcaster engagement, with audiences in Australia and New Zealand reportedly surpassing those of any previous Games. While TNT has yet to disclose its live audience numbers, they are widely believed to fall below what the BBC attracted through its broad appeal and lack of restrictions on casual viewers.
Attention is now turning towards the 2030 Games in Ahmedabad, where organisers plan to expand the sporting programme significantly beyond the more limited events in Glasgow. Cricket and hockey are among the events expected to feature prominently. Interest in the Glasgow Games on TNT has reportedly been comparable to another major live events on the platform this year, excluding football, such as the French Open and the Tour de France.
As broadcasts shift from traditional platforms to those like TNT, the landscape of sports viewership continues to evolve, encapsulating both challenges and opportunities for audiences and broadcasters alike. A reminder that in the world of sport, the game is never merely about competition; it’s equally about how the spectacle is consumed.
