Jacqui Oatley has officially departed from ITV after more than ten years with the network. An esteemed commentator and presenter, Oatley has been known for her coverage of football and darts on the popular channel.
In a groundbreaking move 18 years ago, the 50-year-old became the first woman to provide commentary on BBC’s renowned program Match of the Day. She has since maintained her presence at BBC while also contributing to ITV and Sky Sports over the years.
Following the conclusion of the Players Championship Finals, it has been confirmed that Oatley’s tenure at ITV has come to an end. She expressed her sentiments on social media, bidding farewell to her time at ITV Sport after a decade of collaboration with a dedicated production team.
Moving forward, ITV will continue to showcase darts on ITV4 and ITVX, with the coverage now overseen by Eddie Hearn’s company Matchroom. This transition marks the end of an era for ITV Sport’s darts coverage team, as noted by fellow commentator Stuart Pyke.
Additionally, ITV has parted ways with experienced cycling and darts commentator Ned Boulting, who shared his gratitude for the years spent working on key events such as the Tour de France and PDC Darts.
While ITV remains committed to broadcasting major tournaments like the European Championship Finals and Players Championship Finals, Sky Sports has secured a new five-year agreement to air prominent events including the World Championship and Premier League.
ITV’s director of sport, Niall Sloane, expressed satisfaction in expanding their live darts coverage to maintain accessibility for UK audiences. The partnership between ITV and the Professional Darts Corporation is set to endure, with plans extending into 2028.
PDC chief executive Matt Porter echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the importance of the long-standing collaboration with ITV in providing free-to-air coverage of popular darts events to fans in the UK.
In related news, Sky has enhanced its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports package to include premium streaming services like HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, and more, in addition to a comprehensive selection of channels and extensive coverage of sports leagues such as the Premier League and EFL.
With over 1,400 live matches broadcasted annually, Sky continues to deliver a wide range of sports content, including Formula 1, darts, and golf, ensuring a diverse viewing experience for sports enthusiasts.