Channel 4 has secured the broadcast rights for the iconic Boat Race, ending the BBC’s long-standing coverage streak that dates back to the mid-1920s. The event, featuring the prestigious rowing competition between Oxford University and Cambridge University on the Thames, will now be aired on Channel 4 for the first time in nearly a century. Times Radio has also acquired the radio rights for the race until 2028.
This change comes as a significant shift, as the BBC has traditionally been the exclusive broadcaster of the Boat Race, with intermittent exceptions such as ITV airing the race from 2005 to 2009. The decision not to broadcast the event this year was reportedly influenced by the BBC’s director of sport, Alex Kay-Jelski, who viewed the race as “elitist”. The Times Radio agreement to broadcast the race for free involves promoting it across News UK’s network.
The move away from broadcasting the Boat Race aligns with a broader shift in the BBC’s sports coverage strategy under Kay-Jelski’s leadership. The corporation has seen a decline in viewership for the Boat Race in recent years, coupled with rising production costs. Kay-Jelski emphasized that the BBC’s relevance does not hinge solely on live sports coverage, citing the changing media landscape where digital platforms play a pivotal role in reaching audiences.
Siobhan Cassidy, Chair of The Boat Race Company, expressed delight in welcoming Times Radio as the new radio partner for the event, highlighting shared values of heritage, tradition, precision, and quality. The upcoming Boat Race on April 4 will mark the beginning of this new partnership.
As the media landscape continues to evolve, the decision to shift broadcasting rights signifies a strategic move by both the BBC and Channel 4 to adapt to changing audience preferences and consumption habits.