Jacqui Oatley recently bid farewell to ITV after a lengthy tenure spanning over a decade. Known for her expertise in commentary and presenting, Oatley notably covered football and darts during her time with the well-known broadcaster.
Having made history nearly two decades ago as the first female commentator on BBC’s acclaimed program Match of the Day, Oatley continued to contribute to BBC, ITV, and Sky Sports over the years.
Her departure from ITV came after the conclusion of the Players Championship Finals. Oatley, who had been part of ITV’s darts coverage for more than 10 years, expressed her departure as “very sad” in a recent announcement.
In a social media post, Oatley shared her gratitude for her time at ITV, highlighting her involvement in presenting football, including major events like Euro 2016 and World Cup 2018, along with extensive darts coverage. She praised the production team and her colleagues for their dedication and professionalism in creating quality content for viewers.
Moving forward, ITV will continue airing darts tournaments on ITV4 and ITVX, managed by Matchroom under Eddie Hearn. The network’s decision to part ways with Oatley and fellow commentator Ned Boulting was met with mixed emotions within the sports broadcasting community.
On a positive note, ITV is set to maintain its coverage of prestigious events such as the European Championship Finals, Players Championship Finals, and World Masters in the coming years. Meanwhile, Sky Sports secured a new five-year deal to broadcast major darts events, including the World Championship and Premier League.
ITV’s Director of Sport, Niall Sloane, emphasized the network’s commitment to offering live darts coverage for UK audiences. The partnership with the Professional Darts Corporation is set to continue, providing fans with access to popular darts events on free-to-air television.
Additionally, Sky has enhanced its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle, now offering a wide range of entertainment options, including HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, and more, along with comprehensive coverage of sports leagues like the Premier League and EFL.
With an extensive lineup of live matches across various sports, including the Premier League, EFL, Formula 1, darts, and golf, Sky continues to be a leading destination for sports enthusiasts seeking diverse content options.