ITV Sport has announced major changes to its darts coverage, with Jackie Oatley confirming she is among those leaving the terrestrial broadcaster.
Jackie Oatley has announced she has quit ITV after working for the broadcaster for more than 10 years. Oatley is a highly experienced commentator and presenter, having covered football and darts for the terrestrial giants.
The 50-year-old made history 18 years ago when she became the first woman to commentate on the BBC’s iconic Match of the Day show. And she went on to work for the BBC, ITV and Sky Sports over the years.
However, following the conclusion of the Players Championship final, Autry’s relationship with ITV appears to have ended. Mr Oatley, who has been involved in the channel’s free darts broadcasts for more than 10 years, confirmed on Monday that he would be leaving, and previously described the news as “very sad”.
She posted on X: “After 10 years with an incredible production team, I’m finally heading back home for @ITVSport. For the first three years, I’ve been showcasing soccer all the way through darts, darts, darts, including Euro 2016 and World Cup 2018. Words can’t express how grateful I am to work with such great people.”
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“The producers, led by Phil Heslop, are amazing, the director, the spotters, the critics, the commentators, the camera crew, the sound crew, the graphics team, Jonesy (who chides me for being an inch away from where I stand), they’re all amazing. They’re always smiling while they work hard, and most of all they care about the production.
“Because it’s all about the viewer experience. I hope our pure enjoyment came through. I’m going back to football now, but I’ll still go to the darts. Pint in hand instead of microphone. Bye-bye for now.”
ITV will continue to show darts on ITV4 and ITVX, but its coverage will be run by Eddie Hearn’s company Matchroom. Over the weekend, fellow commentator Stuart Pike wrote: “Sad day… after 17 years (dart board emoji) it’s the end of the road for ITV Sport.”
“Darts will continue on ITV, but not with a great team who have been a pleasure to work with…we are lifelong friends and will hopefully have a blast at the Players Championship Final.”
ITV also parted ways with experienced cycling and darts commentator Ned Boulting. He wrote in Sunday’s X: “I’ve been involved with @ITVSport’s Tour de France and PDC Darts for a long time. Both contracts end this year. Tonight is my last show. I’m grateful to all my colleagues over the years. It’s been a long time with a channel and it means a lot.”
ITV will continue to broadcast tournaments such as the European Championship Final, Players Championship Final and World Masters. Meanwhile, Sky Sports has confirmed a new five-year deal to broadcast the World Championship, World Cup of Darts, Premier League and Grand Slams.
ITV Sports director Niall Sloane confirmed earlier this month: “We’re delighted to expand and expand our live darts coverage here at ITV Sport as we want to continue to broadcast professional darts’ biggest events free for UK viewers to enjoy. We have a great relationship with Professional Darts Corporation and we look forward to continuing to work together until 2028.”
Matt Porter, chief executive of PDC, added: “We are delighted to continue our long-standing relationship with ITV and the new deal takes our partnership to over 20 years. With darts being talked about more than ever, we are delighted to be able to bring free-to-air coverage of so many of our favorite events to fans in the UK.”
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