The Seven Network will broadcast the 2026 and 2030 Commonwealth Games after appearing to win a race at one.
Seven, a wholly-owned unit of Seven West Media, said it had signed an exclusive agreement with Commonwealth Sport to become the official Australian broadcast media partner for the Games to be held in Glasgow from 23 July to 2 August next year.
Announcing it would also be the official Australian media partner for the 2030 Games, Seven said the agreement covered broadcast, digital, connected TV, radio, social media and subscription TV rights in Australia.
Reports have suggested Seven had little or no competition for the rights to broadcast the so-called ‘friendly games’, which were hastily moved to Scotland after Victoria withdrew as host due in 2023 due to concerns over rising costs and no other Australian states or cities were prepared to step in.
Seven West Media Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Jeff Howard said Seven had a long and proud history with the Commonwealth Games and was delighted to be able to bring both Games to Australians live and free.
“Sport is part of Seven’s DNA, and we are looking forward to adding the Commonwealth Games to our strong sporting line up for 2026, including Australia’s favourite winter and summer sports – AFL and cricket – horse racing, NFL, LIV Golf and much more.” Howard said in a media release.
Seven was rumoured to have paid A$40 million (US$25.2 million) for the rights to the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Brisbane. However, the network, which did not disclose the value of the latest agreement, would have been expected to pay less for Glasgow, given the time difference.
Rights to broadcast the Commonwealth Games, known as the ‘friendly games’ because of the more relaxed atmosphere among athletes, go for a significant discount to those of the Olympic Games, which attract many more viewers to their screens.
Nine Entertainment (ASX: NEC) reportedly paid $305 million for exclusive Australian broadcast rights for the Summer and Winter Olympic Games from 2024 to 2032, which includes free-to-air, subscription, and streaming rights.
The 23rd Commonwealth Games will feature 3,000 athletes from up to 74 nations and territories competing in 10-sports, including six para sports, making it the largest integrated para sport program in Commonwealth Games history.
At the time of writing shares in Seven West Media (ASX: SWM) were trading at 14 cents, down 0.3 cents on the day, capitalising the company at $203.3 million.
