Jacqui Oatley has bid farewell to ITV after more than a decade with the network. Known for her expertise in commentary and presentation, Oatley has been a prominent figure in football and darts coverage on the mainstream channel.

In a groundbreaking move 18 years ago, the 50-year-old became the first female commentator on the renowned BBC show, Match of the Day. While maintaining ties with the BBC, Oatley has also contributed to ITV and Sky Sports over the years.

Following the conclusion of the Players Championship Finals, Oatley confirmed her departure from ITV, where she had been part of the free-to-air darts coverage team for over 10 years. Expressing her sentiments on social media, she praised the exceptional production team she had the privilege to work with during her tenure.

Moving forward, ITV will continue to showcase darts events on ITV4 and ITVX, with the coverage now under the management of Eddie Hearn’s company Matchroom. Colleague Stuart Pyke shared his sentiments on the transition, acknowledging the end of an era for the ITV Sport team in darts broadcasting.

Additionally, ITV has also parted ways with the seasoned cycling and darts commentator Ned Boulting, who expressed gratitude for his long-standing collaboration with the network.

Looking ahead, ITV plans to feature major tournaments like the European Championship Finals, Players Championship Finals, and World Masters. Meanwhile, Sky Sports has secured a new five-year agreement to broadcast significant events such as the World Championship, World Cup of Darts, Premier League, and Grand Slam.

ITV’s Director of Sport, Niall Sloane, highlighted the network’s commitment to expanding live darts coverage for UK audiences, emphasizing the importance of offering top darts events free-to-air. The Professional Darts Corporation’s Chief Executive, Matt Porter, echoed the sentiment, expressing enthusiasm for the continued partnership with ITV.

In anticipation of the 2025/26 season, Sky has introduced a price reduction on its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle, providing substantial savings and an extensive selection of live matches, including over 1,400 Premier League and EFL games.

With an increased offering of at least 215 live Premier League matches this season, viewers can look forward to an enhanced sports viewing experience on Sky.