What Network Expands Across Sub-Saharan Africa, Bringing Free Commonwealth Games Coverage to Millions
What Network has announced a major expansion across Sub-Saharan Africa, giving millions of viewers free access to live coverage of the 2026 Commonwealth Games through its streaming platform, What.tv.
The latest expansion significantly increases the broadcaster’s reach across the region, excluding South Africa, while strengthening its position in Africa’s growing free-to-air and digital broadcasting market.
The development means sports fans across multiple African countries will be able to watch the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games live without paying subscription fees, making one of the world’s biggest sporting events more accessible than ever.
Millions of Africans to Watch the Commonwealth Games for Free
With the newly expanded media rights, What Network will stream the 2026 Commonwealth Games live on What.tv, allowing viewers across Sub-Saharan Africa to enjoy uninterrupted coverage at no cost.
For many sports enthusiasts, the announcement removes long-standing barriers that often forced audiences to depend on expensive satellite television services, delayed broadcasts, or international networks to follow major sporting competitions.
The expansion also reinforces What Network’s role as the official Free-to-Air broadcaster for the 2026 Commonwealth Games across its licensed territories.
CEO Says Africa Deserves Greater Access to Global Sports
Speaking on the expansion, What Media Group Chief Executive Officer ChiChi Nwoko said the company remains committed to ensuring African audiences receive broader access to international sporting events.
“Africa deserves a front-row seat to global sports. This expansion means millions more Africans can watch the Commonwealth Games live, on a platform built by us, for us.”
The company believes the move represents another step toward making premium sports broadcasting more accessible throughout the continent.
What Network Broadens Entertainment Beyond Live Sports
While sports remain a key focus, the broadcaster is also expanding its entertainment offerings with a growing lineup of original productions aimed at African audiences.
Among its featured programmes are:
- Kids Say The Darndest Things, a family entertainment series.
- Project Runway Africa, an upcoming pan-African fashion competition expected to showcase emerging design talent from across the continent.
The broader programming strategy highlights the company’s ambition to evolve into a comprehensive entertainment destination rather than focusing solely on live sporting events.
Expansion Strengthens African-Owned Broadcasting
The latest rights expansion marks one of the most notable broadcasting developments by an African-owned media company this year.
By combining free digital streaming with broader regional coverage, What Network is positioning itself to compete more aggressively in Africa’s rapidly evolving media landscape while increasing access to international events for millions of viewers.
With the 2026 Commonwealth Games approaching, audiences across much of Sub-Saharan Africa can now expect free live coverage through What.tv, alongside an expanding catalogue of locally produced entertainment content.
