Channel 5 has secured a deal to broadcast a daily highlights programme from the Commonwealth Games this summer, following the BBC's decision to end its 72-year run of covering the event. The Games will take place in Glasgow.
Broadcasting Rights Shake-Up
TNT Sports, owned by Warner Bros Discovery (WBD), outbid the BBC for live rights last year and will broadcast over 600 hours of live coverage. TNT then sublicensed highlights rights to Channel 5 after the BBC declined to purchase a highlights package following talks.
The BBC had broadcast every Commonwealth Games since 1954, but its decision marks a significant policy shift driven by financial pressures and a strategic focus on digital clip rights rather than live or highlights coverage.
Financial Constraints at the BBC
The BBC recently announced plans to cut 1,800 to 2,000 jobs as part of a £500 million efficiency drive to address "significant financial pressures." Its sports budget is expected to be heavily affected. These constraints have already led the BBC to alter its coverage of this summer's World Cup, presenting from studios in Salford rather than on location in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
Viewing Figures and Public Service Remit
The BBC's apparent lack of interest in the Commonwealth Games is largely due to concerns over limited viewing figures. The corporation previously stepped away from the University Boat Races, which were shown live by Channel 4 for the first time this year, raising questions about its public service obligations.
Alex Kay-Jelski, the BBC's director of sport, has been unapologetic about focusing on digital content to attract younger audiences, leading to a new emphasis on clip rights, particularly in football. Over the past year, the BBC has acquired live rights to Bundesliga football, the Women's Champions League, and home nations' World Cup qualifiers, while retaining Six Nations rugby and Champions League highlights.
Channel 5's Expanding Sports Portfolio
Channel 5 has bolstered its sports coverage over the last year, securing live rights to England men's cricket T20 internationals, last summer's Club World Cup, and two weekly NFL games. The Commonwealth Games highlights deal further strengthens its sports offering.
The Games will also be available on all tiers of HBO Max. Paramount Skydance, Channel 5's parent company, has agreed a $110.9 billion (£83 billion) takeover of WBD, though this is unrelated to the Commonwealth Games deal, which resulted from a competitive tender process.
Channel 5 declined to comment on the deal.
