The BBC has confirmed that it has secured the rights to the 2018 Commonwealth Games, extending its coverage of the competition to almost 70 years.
News of the deal comes amid speculation that the corporation could pull out of covering the event as part of its major cost-cutting plans that has already seen it surrender rights to Formula 1, The Open and exclusive coverage of the Olympics.
The next edition of the sporting contest will take place on Australia's Gold Coast in April 2018, four years on from Glasgow's hosting of the event, which saw England top the medal table for the first time in 28 years.
"We're delighted to be continuing our relationship with the Commonwealth Games, an event we have covered for over 60 years," said Barbara Slater, the BBC's director of sport. "The Games never fail to deliver those moments that unite the nation, and we're delighted that we'll be there to bring all of the action - free to air – to audiences across all of our platforms."
With a time difference of nine hours, the BBC has promised that it will show at least 180 hours of live coverage on its TV channels and online throughout the night across the 12 days of competition.
Neil Wilkes
