Seven Network is to be the Australian broadcaster for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games ©Getty Images

The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) has signed a deal for Seven Network to be the Australian broadcaster of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, following on from its coverage of home Games at Gold Coast 2018.

Broadcast, digital, connected television, radio, social media and subscription TV rights are all covered in the new agreement between the GCF and Seven Network.

The Games are scheduled to take place from July 28 to August 8 next year, having been moved back by a day to avoid a clash with other sporting events postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

CGF President Dame Louise Martin welcomed the continuing partnership with the Australian network.

"We are absolutely delighted to be partnering with Seven once again for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games," said Dame Louise.

"Seven has a long and successful track record when it comes to covering the Games and they will play a vital role in taking the very best of Commonwealth Sport and our athletes to millions of Australian supporters.

"With more medals for women than men, the largest ever Para sport programme and the debut of exciting new sports such as Women’s Cricket T20, I have no doubt Birmingham 2022 will be a spectacular success.

"Building on the success of Gold Coast 2018, Birmingham 2022 will have the largest business and tourism programme in history; leveraging the unique power of the Games to enhance the city’s global reputation and boosting tourism, jobs, trade and investment. 

"We could not ask for a better partner than Seven to help support us in showcasing the competition."

Seven Network was the Australian broadcaster for the Manchester 2002 Commonwealth Games ©Getty Images
Seven Network was the Australian broadcaster for the Manchester 2002 Commonwealth Games ©Getty Images

Prior to Gold Coast 2018, Manchester 2002 was the last edition of the Commonwealth Games broadcast by Seven Network.

In between, Network 10 broadcast action from Delhi 2010 and Glasgow 2014.

As well as on free-to-air channels, Birmingham 2022 coverage is to be put on 7plus, Seven Network's streaming and on-demand platform.

Lewis Martin, Seven Network head of sport and Seven Melbourne director, called Birmingham 2022 "the perfect addition to our 2022 sport line-up - an unrivalled line-up that already includes the Olympic Winter Games Beijing".

"We are looking forward to working with the Commonwealth Games Federation, Birmingham 2022 and our many wonderful athletes to present a fantastic competition," Martin added.

More than 4,500 athletes from 72 nations and territories are expected to compete at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

There will be 136 medal events from women and 134 for men, making it the first major multi-sport event to award more medals to women.