The BBC, the UK’s public-service broadcaster, has secured domestic broadcasting rights to the 2022 Commonwealth Games, which will be held in Birmingham, England.

The agreement, announced today, offers the BBC rights acorss linear television, radio, and online platforms.

The BBC, which marks its own centenary in 2022, has a relationship with the Commonwealth Games stretching back to 1954, and has said it will offer “unparalleled coverage of the UK’s largest sporting event since the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games”, featuring a 24/7 service of live action, news and highlights. 

The BBC was always strong favourite to secure domestic broadcast rights, with the public-service broadcaster having provided impressive coverage of both the London 2012 Olympics and the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, the last time that event was held in the UK, and with the corporation having the reputation as the UK's definitive broadcaster for major home sporting events. 

It also held rights to Gold Coast 2018. 

Ian Reid, chief executive of the Birmingham 2022 organising body, said today: “This is a significant moment for Birmingham 2022 and we are very proud to be working with the BBC as the domestic broadcast rights holder for the games.

“The BBC’s record in covering major sports events is truly outstanding and we can’t wait to work with them on our edition of the Commonwealth Games.”

Tim Davie, the BBC’s director-general, added: “In a year when many major sport events have been postponed, this is welcome news for sports fans. We’re delighted to be broadcasting the Commonwealth Games held in Birmingham.”

Sportcal was told in June this year that a contract between the CGF and a domestic broadcaster was very close to being signed off, and has now learned that while several other broadcasters were considered initially, the BBC was always looked on as the outstanding candidate. 

The deal with the BBC was negotiated, finalised and signed by CGF Partnerships, a joint venture between the CGF and the Sportfive international sports marketing agency. 

The BBC provided comprehensive coverage of Glasgow 2014 - offering 300 hours of network TV action, supplemented by over 1,300 hours of live coverage on up to 17 digital streams.

For the games six years ago, the BBC provided over 30 hours of coverage per day.

The BBC will not be the host broadcaster for Birmingham 2022, with that contract held by Sunset and Vine, the UK-based television production company, in a deal announced in July this year.

S+V also has options in place to extend that contract to the 2026 and 2030 Commonwealth Games, neither of which have a host city yet.

The announcement came on the same day it was confirmed that Birmingham 2022 will be the first major multi-sport games to award more medals to women than men. 

The 2022 Commonwealth Games, which will feature 19 sports and eight para sports, will take place between 28 July and 8 August.

With a cost of close to £800 million ($1 billion), it is set to be the most expensive sporting event held in the UK since London 2012. 

Sportcal