NEIL Gray has said he is “very disappointed” next year’s Commonwealth Games will not be available on free TV.
The body behind the Games, which will return to Glasgow in a slimmed-down format next year, announced on Friday the contract for broadcasting events has been handed to TNT Sports – owned by global entertainment giant Warner Bros Discovery.
It means the Games will not be freely available to everyone across the UK, which has raised the ire of the Scottish Government.
SNP MSP Paul McLennan has insisted the decision "must be reviewed" to allow the Games to be enjoyed by as many people as possible.
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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Commenting on the announcement, which was touted by Games bosses as a “landmark moment”, Scottish Health Secretary 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.
“They must reconsider this decision, ensure the Games are protected and make them available free-to-air and to as wide an audience as possible.”
Next year’s Commonwealth Games are considerably slimmed down compared to the 2022 edition in Birmingham, with Glasgow having stepped in late on as hosts after the Australian state of Victoria withdrew.
It is understood TNT also intends to explore the possibility of working with a free-to-air partner on live coverage, but the deal nevertheless marks a major shift for the Games.
The UK Government has been contacted for comment.
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McLennan told The National: “Many people, who are struggling with the rising cost of bills under Labour, will simply not be able to afford to fork out for a subscription channel to watch the action from Glasgow.
“In previous games in Scotland, home athletes such as Liz McColgan and Hannah Miley became national heroes as they raced to glory, cheered on by thousands of viewers from home.
“With the games hidden behind a paywall, the whole nation won’t be able to share in our athletes’ successes in Glasgow and a future generation of athletes will miss out on being inspired to take up sport.
"I urge the games organisers, broadcasters and the UK Government, which has responsibility for broadcasting, to review this decision so that next year's games can be enjoyed by as many as possible."
Green MSP for Glasgow Patrick Harvie added: “In 2014 the Glasgow Commonwealth games were watched by over 1 billion people around the world, including over 35 million in the UK and 3.6 million in Scotland.
“They serve as entertainment, inspiration, and as a global advertisement for our country. We should be doing everything we can to ensure next year’s games in Glasgow remain free to view on our national broadcaster, not hidden behind a paywall only for those who can afford it.”
Warner Bros Discovery has been the principal rights holder of the Olympic Games since 2015. Under that deal, the BBC has only been able to show two Olympic events live at the same time – one on a network channel and one via a stream.
Phil Batty, chief executive of next year’s Games, said: “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.”
Warner Bros Discovery Sport Europe executive vice-president Scott Young said the broadcaster will bring its “storytelling heritage” to next year’s coverage.
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