Jacqui Oatley, a seasoned commentator and presenter, has bid farewell to ITV after more than ten years with the network. Notably, she made history nearly two decades ago by becoming the first female commentator on BBC’s popular show, Match of the Day. Oatley has also been affiliated with BBC, ITV, and Sky Sports over the years, showcasing her versatility in covering football and darts.
Following the conclusion of the Players Championship Finals, Oatley confirmed her departure from ITV where she had been involved in presenting the channel’s darts coverage for a decade. Expressing her gratitude, Oatley mentioned her enriching experiences with the production team and highlighted the exceptional teamwork that made her time at ITV memorable.
Moving forward, ITV’s coverage of darts on ITV4 and ITVX will now be managed by Eddie Hearn’s company Matchroom. The departure of Oatley and fellow commentator Ned Boulting marks the end of an era for ITV Sport in the darts arena. However, ITV will still showcase prominent tournaments like the European Championship Finals, Players Championship Finals, and World Masters.
In a parallel development, Sky Sports has inked a new five-year partnership deal to broadcast major events including the World Championship, World Cup of Darts, Premier League, and Grand Slam. ITV’s director of sport, Niall Sloane, expressed enthusiasm about expanding their darts coverage and maintaining a strong relationship with the Professional Darts Corporation.
Furthermore, Sky has enhanced its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle by adding popular streaming services like HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+, and Hayu, along with an extensive channel lineup. Sky continues to bolster its sports coverage with over 1,400 live matches across various leagues and sports, including Formula 1, darts, and golf, providing viewers with a comprehensive viewing experience.