Jacqui Oatley bids farewell to ITV after more than a decade with the network. Known for her expertise in commentary and presentation, Oatley has been a prominent figure in football and darts coverage on terrestrial television.
Making history nearly two decades ago as the first female commentator on BBC’s iconic Match of the Day, Oatley has since shared her talents with BBC, ITV, and Sky Sports. However, her tenure with ITV has now concluded post the Players Championship Finals. Oatley, who has been a key part of ITV’s free-to-air darts programming for over 10 years, confirmed her departure on Monday, expressing her gratitude for the wonderful team she worked with.
In a social media post, Oatley shared her final moments with ITV Sport, reminiscing on her time presenting football events like Euro 2016 and World Cup 2018, alongside extensive darts coverage. She praised the dedicated production team and colleagues she collaborated with over the years, emphasizing their commitment to ensuring a top-notch viewing experience for audiences.
While ITV will continue airing darts on ITV4 and ITVX, the broadcasting responsibilities will shift to Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom. Colleague Stuart Pyke reflected on the end of an era for ITV Sport’s darts coverage, highlighting the camaraderie and shared experiences with the departing team members.
In addition to Oatley’s exit, ITV has also parted ways with seasoned cycling and darts commentator Ned Boulting. As ITV moves forward, it remains committed to showcasing major tournaments like the European Championship Finals, Players Championship Finals, and World Masters. Meanwhile, Sky Sports secures a new five-year agreement to broadcast prestigious events such as 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 importance of providing high-profile darts events to a wide UK audience. The Professional Darts Corporation’s Chief Executive, Matt Porter, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the enduring partnership with ITV and the continued efforts to offer free-to-air coverage of popular darts tournaments to fans in the UK.
Sky Sports has introduced a discounted Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle for the upcoming season, delivering substantial savings and an extensive lineup of live matches across various sports. With a commitment to showcasing over 200 live Premier League games annually, alongside Formula 1, golf, and more, Sky continues to expand its offerings to sports enthusiasts.