Jacqui Oatley has bid farewell to ITV after spending more than ten years with the network. An accomplished commentator and presenter, Oatley has been a familiar face covering football and darts on the popular channel.
Nearly two decades ago, Oatley made history as the first female commentator on BBC’s renowned show, Match of the Day. She has since juggled roles at BBC, ITV, and Sky Sports. However, her tenure with ITV has now concluded following the Players Championship Finals. Oatley, who had been a fixture on ITV’s free-to-air darts broadcasts for over a decade, confirmed her departure, expressing her emotions over the news.
Taking to social media, Oatley shared her sentiments, acknowledging her fruitful decade working with the exceptional production team at ITV Sport. She reminisced about her initial years presenting football, including major events like Euro 2016 and World Cup 2018, before immersing herself in the world of darts. She expressed deep gratitude towards the entire team, highlighting the dedication and camaraderie that defined her ITV experience.
ITV’s darts coverage will continue on ITV4 and ITVX, now under the management of Eddie Hearn’s company, Matchroom. The departure of Oatley and seasoned commentator Ned Boulting marks the end of an era for ITV Sport. Despite these changes, ITV remains committed to showcasing key tournaments such as the European Championship Finals, Players Championship Finals, and World Masters.
In a parallel development, Sky Sports has secured a new five-year agreement to broadcast marquee events like the World Championship, World Cup of Darts, Premier League, and Grand Slam. ITV’s Director of Sport, Niall Sloane, expressed enthusiasm about the extended partnership with the Professional Darts Corporation, ensuring continued access to top-tier darts competitions for UK audiences.
With a renewed focus on delivering premium sports content, Sky has introduced a discounted Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the upcoming season, promising a wealth of live matches across various leagues. Sky subscribers can anticipate an expanded offering of live Premier League matches, with a significant increase in coverage compared to previous seasons.