Jacqui Oatley bids farewell to ITV after more than a decade with the network. The seasoned commentator and presenter, known for her coverage of football and darts, recently confirmed her departure. Oatley, who notably made history 18 years ago as the first female commentator on BBC’s Match of the Day, has also been a familiar face on BBC and Sky Sports over the years.
Following the conclusion of the Players Championship Finals, Oatley announced her exit from ITV, expressing gratitude for her time there. She reflected on her experience, mentioning her work on football events like Euro 2016 and World Cup 2018, alongside extensive darts coverage. Oatley praised the production team and her colleagues for their dedication to delivering quality content for viewers.
While ITV will continue to showcase darts on ITV4 and ITVX, the coverage will now be managed by Matchroom, led by Eddie Hearn. The departure of Oatley and fellow commentator Ned Boulting marks a transition for ITV’s sports broadcasting. Despite these changes, the network remains committed to airing prestigious tournaments like the European Championship Finals, Players Championship Finals, and World Masters.
Meanwhile, Sky Sports has secured a new five-year deal to broadcast major events including the World Championship, World Cup of Darts, Premier League, and Grand Slam. ITV’s director of sport, Niall Sloane, expressed enthusiasm for expanding darts coverage and maintaining a strong partnership with the Professional Darts Corporation. PDC chief executive Matt Porter also shared excitement about continuing the successful collaboration with ITV, ensuring free-to-air coverage for UK darts fans.
Sky has introduced discounted packages for the upcoming seasons, offering a wide range of live sports coverage. With an extensive lineup of Premier League matches, Formula 1 races, darts tournaments, golf events, and more, viewers can expect an exciting viewing experience ahead.