ITV’S final darts tournament will be next month’s Players Championship Finals before a major shake-up.
Presenter Jacqui Oatley confirmed the news on last night’s European Championship coverage – with the broadcaster’s PDC contract up.
Gian van Veen was the unlikely winner in Germany but supporters may soon have to go elsewhere for their darting fix.
It is understood that Matchroom Media, who are fronted by Barry and Eddie Hearn, are taking production control from 2026.
Sky Sports will have their own broadcast of the sport, including some of the biggest tournaments, but it is Matchroom that will get the World Masters, UK Open, and World Series Finals among other events next year.
Just how this looks is unclear but it is reported widely that Channel 5 will be the new destination.
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And it means ITV presenters and pundits face the axe in a major shake-up after next month.
Matchroom are also moving into the snooker scene and will use their own set of hosts and staff.
This deal grants them access to PDC events including the Players Championship and European Championship.
It is a blow to ITV, with Oatley promoting their coverage on X.
She wrote: “If your football team is killing your spirit and they’ve only picked up, say, 3 points from the last 39 available, as a random example, then tune into the #darts on ITV4 now for European Championship finals night. Both semis have been belting, with the final to follow”.
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One reply picked up on the Wolves-supporting Oatley, saying: “Wolves falling apart Jacqui, sorry to hear ITV have lost the darts rights , really enjoyed your coverage over the years”.
She replied: “Thanks Gaz. We’ve had a blast”.
Responding to other commenters, Oatley added that ITV were “very sad” and that the last competition (in Minehead on November 21 for the Players Championship) will be emotional.
Speaking recently at the World Snooker Championship, Barry Hearn explained his and Eddie’s model: “We live in a numbers game.
“ITV4 has been fantastically successful for us in the numbers it’s got.
“We need to be more encouraging to the younger market, which involves talking to them in the language that they understand and the medium that they understand.
“And that’s why the world is becoming more digital. The future is more Netflix than free-to-air.
“It’s going to involve a multiple number of broadcasters. Some free-to-air, some behind the pay-model.
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“People will be able to watch what they want to watch, the sports they want to watch, when they want to watch it and for a price they can afford.
“I find that really exciting.”
