Jacqui Oatley bids farewell to ITV after a decade-long tenure with the network. Renowned for her expertise in commentary and presenting, Oatley has been a fixture in football and darts coverage on the mainstream channel.
Having made history nearly two decades ago as the inaugural female commentator on BBC’s acclaimed Match of the Day, Oatley has since maintained her presence across various platforms, including BBC, ITV, and Sky Sports.
Despite her extensive contribution to ITV’s free-to-air darts programming for more than ten years, Oatley announced her departure following the conclusion of the Players Championship Finals, expressing a bittersweet sentiment about the news.
In a recent social media post, Oatley reflected on her time with ITV Sport, highlighting her involvement in presenting football, such as Euro 2016 and World Cup 2018, alongside consistent coverage of darts. She expressed deep gratitude for the collaborative efforts of the production team and colleagues, emphasizing their dedication to delivering quality content for viewers.
Moving forward, ITV will entrust the darts coverage to Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom, as Oatley and fellow commentator Ned Boulting part ways with the network. Despite these changes, ITV’s commitment to showcasing major tournaments like the European Championship Finals, Players Championship Finals, and World Masters remains steadfast.
Meanwhile, Sky Sports secures a new five-year deal to broadcast premier events like the World Championship, World Cup of Darts, Premier League, and Grand Slam. ITV’s director of sport, Niall Sloane, and PDC chief executive, Matt Porter, express mutual excitement over the extended partnership, ensuring continued access to popular darts events for UK audiences.
Sky also introduces discounted Essential TV and Sky Sports bundles for the upcoming season, offering substantial savings and an extensive lineup of live sports content, including over 1,400 matches across the Premier League, EFL, and more. With a promise of at least 215 live Premier League games annually, along with Formula 1, golf, and darts coverage, Sky aims to enhance the viewing experience for sports enthusiasts.
As broadcasting landscapes evolve, networks like ITV and Sky continue to adapt, ensuring fans have access to top-tier sporting events while maintaining a strong focus on delivering compelling content to audiences.