Jacqui Oatley has officially departed from ITV after dedicating more than ten years to the network. With a wealth of experience in commentary and presenting, Oatley has notably covered football and darts for the prominent terrestrial broadcaster.
Nearly two decades ago, at the age of 50, Oatley made history as the first female commentator on BBC’s renowned program Match of the Day. Her career has spanned across BBC, ITV, and Sky Sports, showcasing her versatility and talent in sports broadcasting.
Following the conclusion of the Players Championship Finals, Oatley bid farewell to her role at ITV, where she had been a key figure in the channel’s darts coverage for over a decade. In a recent announcement, she expressed gratitude for her time at ITV, particularly highlighting the exceptional production team she had the privilege to work with.
While ITV will continue to broadcast darts on ITV4 and ITVX, the coverage will now be overseen by Eddie Hearn’s company Matchroom. This transition marks the end of an era for ITV’s darts broadcasting team, as fellow commentators also bid farewell to their roles at the network.
Additionally, ITV has parted ways with seasoned cycling and darts commentator Ned Boulting, who shared his appreciation for the longstanding collaboration with the network. Despite these changes, ITV remains committed to showcasing top tournaments like the European Championship Finals, Players Championship Finals, and World Masters.
Moreover, Sky Sports recently sealed a new five-year deal to broadcast premier events such as the World Championship, World Cup of Darts, Premier League, and Grand Slam. The move aligns with ITV’s strategy to expand and enhance its live darts coverage, ensuring that major darting events remain accessible to UK viewers.
As the sports broadcasting landscape evolves, ITV’s ongoing partnership with the Professional Darts Corporation reflects a shared commitment to delivering high-quality, free-to-air coverage of popular darting events to fans across the UK. This collaboration underscores the growing enthusiasm and interest surrounding darts in recent years.
Furthermore, Sky has enhanced its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle by integrating popular streaming services like HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+, and Hayu, alongside a comprehensive selection of channels and extensive coverage of the Premier League and EFL. Sky’s dedication to offering a diverse range of content, including over 1,400 live matches across various sports leagues, underscores its commitment to providing a comprehensive viewing experience for sports enthusiasts.