Jacqui Oatley has made public her departure from ITV after more than ten years with the network. Known for her expertise in commentary and presentation, she has been a prominent figure in covering football and darts for the major broadcaster.
A pioneer in her field, Oatley made history 18 years ago by becoming the first female commentator on BBC’s iconic program, Match of the Day. Throughout the years, she has maintained her work with BBC, ITV, and Sky Sports.
However, Oatley’s tenure at ITV has seemingly come to an end following the conclusion of the Players Championship Finals. Having contributed to the channel’s free-to-air darts coverage for over a decade, she confirmed her departure on Monday, expressing her sentiments as “very sad.”
In a social media post, she stated, “Wrapping up my final @ITVSport assignment after a decade with an exceptional production team. From presenting football, including Euro 2016 and World Cup 2018, to covering darts extensively – it’s been an incredibly rewarding journey working alongside such talented individuals.”
ITV will continue to broadcast darts on ITV4 and ITVX, with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom now taking over the coverage. Colleague Stuart Pyke expressed his feelings about the change, highlighting the end of an era for the ITV darts team.
Moreover, ITV has also bid farewell to seasoned cycling and darts commentator Ned Boulting. His departure marks the conclusion of long-standing collaborations on the Tour de France and PDC Darts events, thanking his colleagues and reflecting on his time with the channel.
In the world of sports broadcasting, ITV and Sky Sports are set to continue showcasing a range of prestigious tournaments. Sky Sports recently announced a new five-year deal covering events like the World Championship, World Cup of Darts, Premier League, and Grand Slam.
Niall Sloane, ITV’s director of sport, affirmed the network’s commitment to expanding and extending live darts coverage for UK audiences, emphasizing the importance of their partnership with the Professional Darts Corporation.
PDC chief executive Matt Porter echoed these sentiments, expressing delight in the enduring collaboration with ITV and the opportunity to provide free-to-air coverage of popular darts events to fans in the UK.
Sky has enhanced its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle, now including HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+, and Hayu, alongside 135 channels and comprehensive coverage of the Premier League and EFL matches.
With a wide array of live sports content, Sky broadcasts over 1,400 matches across the Premier League, EFL, Formula 1, darts, and golf, ensuring a diverse viewing experience for sports enthusiasts.