BBC holds on to Commonwealth Games broadcast rights with 2018 Gold Coast deal
Despite relinquishing the rights to much of its sports broadcasting portfolio in a bid to save £700m the BBC has announced that it has acquired the broadcast rights to the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
The BBC has been awarded the UK broadcast rights for the 2018 games which will take place on Australia’s Gold Coast.
More than 180 hours of coverage for the games will be broadcast across BBC One, BBC Two, the BBC Sport website, iPlayer and BBC radio.
"The Games never fail to deliver those moments that unite the nation," said BBC director of sport Barbara Slater.
"We're delighted that we'll be there to bring all of the action – free to air – to audiences across all of our platforms."
David Grevemberg, Commonwealth Games Federation chief executive, said: "I can't think of a more fitting day than Commonwealth Day to announce that our long-standing broadcast partner, the BBC, has secured our rights for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.
"The BBC has a proud and prolific Commonwealth sporting history, and following their inclusive, innovative and extensive free-to-air coverage from Glasgow 2014, I have no doubt that UK sports fans will be transported down under for an inspiring and memorable Games experience in two years' time."
The BBC has undertaken an ambitious savings target recently in bid to save more than half a billion pounds over five years in order cover the cost the new licence fee deal which will provide free TV licences for over 75s.
The sports cull has resulted in the public broadcaster cutting short its broadcast agreement with Formula One three years early and giving up its exclusive UK rights to the Olympics coverage. It also reduced its hold on the Six Nations as part of an agreement with ITV to split coverage. By reducing its sports portfolio the BBC has been able to invest funds in sub-licensing Olympics coverage from Discovery until 2022 and has retained broadcast rights to Wimbledon until 2020.