Jacqui Oatley has confirmed her departure from ITV after more than ten years with the network. Known for her expertise in commentary and presenting, Oatley has been a prominent figure in football and darts coverage on the channel.
In a groundbreaking move 18 years ago, the 50-year-old became the first female commentator on BBC’s renowned show, Match of the Day. She has since maintained a presence at BBC, ITV, and Sky Sports over the years.
Following the conclusion of the Players Championship Finals, Oatley bid farewell to ITV where she had been part of the free-to-air darts coverage for a decade. Expressing her gratitude, she shared her experiences of presenting football, including major tournaments like Euro 2016 and World Cup 2018, alongside her extensive involvement in darts.
Although 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 seasoned cycling and darts commentator Ned Boulting.
Looking ahead, ITV will showcase various tournaments such as the European Championship Finals, Players Championship Finals, and World Masters. Meanwhile, Sky Sports has secured a new five-year agreement to air significant events like the World Championship, World Cup of Darts, Premier League, and Grand Slam.
Niall Sloane, the ITV director of sport, affirmed the network’s commitment to expanding live darts coverage and maintaining a strong partnership with the Professional Darts Corporation. PDC chief executive Matt Porter expressed delight in the ongoing collaboration with ITV, emphasizing the growing enthusiasm for darts and the importance of providing free-to-air access to British fans.
In a move to enhance its offerings, Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to include popular streaming services like HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+, and Hayu, in addition to a wide array of channels and comprehensive coverage of sports leagues including the Premier League and EFL.
Sky’s extensive sports coverage features over 1,400 live matches across various leagues, including the Premier League and EFL, complemented by Formula 1, darts, and golf broadcasts.