Commonwealth Games organisers caused an angry backlash today after awarding the media rights for the Glasgow event to pay television service TNT Sports.
The subscription channel outbid the BBC, which had been the main partner and provided free-to-air coverage since 1954 for 18 games in a row.
Scottish Health Secretary Neil Gray said he had met with Games officials today “to express disappointment” and pressed for the games to be free.”
TNT Sports is part of Warner Bros Discovery and is best known for screening Uefa Champions League matches as well as selected English Premier League fixtures.
The BBC said it was “unable to match” TNT’s bid to screen the games, which will take place from 23 July to 2 August.
Commonwealth Sports said the decision to award live broadcast rights to Warner Bros. Discovery’s channels and platforms “reflects its rich storytelling history as the Home of the Olympic Games, and the bold ambition of the Commonwealth Games”.
It said fans will enjoy more hours of live coverage than ever before with athlete stories elevated, and new, innovative ways for audiences to be closer to the action of one of the biggest sporting events in Europe next summer.
TNT Sports said it would show more than 600 hours of live coverage in a “re-imagining” of the games, which will feature 10 sports and six para sports.
The broadcaster said every event would be streamed on HBO Max, which is due to launch in the UK and Ireland in March.
However, Mr Gray said: “Incredibly disappointed by this decision. We asked UKGov to protect Games as free to air, pressed BBC to make a meaningful bid & Commonwealth Sport to ensure we could all watch for free. I’ve met with @thecgf today to express disappointment & pressed for Games to be free.”
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