Jacqui Oatley has bid farewell to ITV after more than a decade with the network. A seasoned commentator and presenter, Oatley has been a prominent figure in football and darts coverage on terrestrial television.
Nearly two decades ago, at the age of 50, Oatley made history as the first woman to provide commentary on BBC’s renowned program, Match of the Day. Her career has spanned across BBC, ITV, and Sky Sports, showcasing her versatility and expertise in sports broadcasting.
Following the conclusion of the Players Championship Finals, Oatley confirmed her departure from ITV, where she had been a fixture in their darts coverage for over 10 years. In a social media post, she expressed gratitude for the opportunity to work with a talented production team and highlighted memorable moments from her time at ITV.
While ITV will continue to broadcast darts on ITV4 and ITVX, the coverage will now be managed by Matchroom, led by Eddie Hearn. The network has also parted ways with experienced cycling and darts commentator Ned Boulting, marking the end of an era for both individuals at ITV.
Looking ahead, ITV will maintain its commitment to showcasing premier darts events such as the European Championship Finals, Players Championship Finals, and World Masters. Meanwhile, Sky Sports has inked a new five-year deal to feature top competitions including the World Championship, World Cup of Darts, Premier League, and Grand Slam.
ITV’s director of sport, Niall Sloane, expressed enthusiasm for the extended darts coverage, emphasizing the network’s dedication to providing high-quality sports content to viewers. PDC chief executive Matt Porter echoed the sentiment, highlighting the enduring partnership between PDC and ITV in delivering exciting darts coverage to fans across the UK.
In a move to enhance viewer experience, Sky has introduced a discounted Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle for the upcoming season, offering substantial savings and a plethora of live matches, including over 1,400 across the Premier League, EFL, and more. Additionally, Sky continues to expand its sports portfolio, broadcasting a minimum of 215 live Premier League games annually, alongside Formula 1, golf, and other popular sports events.