Previous editions of the Commonwealth Games have been shown on the BBC, but it was announced on Friday that TNT Sports, owned by Warner Bros Discovery, will have exclusive live broadcast and digital rights.

Under UK legislation, major events can be put into two categories, A and B, with the former – such as the Olympics or the World Cup – guaranteeing live, free coverage, while the latter does not.

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Katie Sadleir, 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 OBE, CEO of Glasgow 2026 said, “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.

“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.”

Scottish Health Secretary Neil Gray said: “I’m very disappointed at this decision. We have been very clear that the Commonwealth Games should be shown on free-to-air TV, enabling the Games to be accessible and enjoyed by all.

“Both the Culture Secretary and I have previously written to the UK Government, making it clear that such a significant event should not be placed behind a paywall. It is also a duty of the BBC as our national broadcaster to play its part in ensuring people in Scotland can watch the Games.

“We asked that the Commonwealth Games was given the same free-to-air broadcasting protections as other major events – such as the FIFA World Cup and the Olympics – by being categorised as a listed A.

“These protections were not put in place by the UK Government and I will be writing to them again to express my disappointment.”