The Boat Race, a long-standing event between Oxford University and Cambridge University, will not be broadcast on BBC this year. Channel 4 secured the TV rights for the event in a five-year deal, while Times Radio will air the radio coverage until 2028. This marks the first time in almost a century that the BBC won’t cover the prestigious rowing race on the Thames, which has traditionally been a staple in their broadcasting lineup since the mid-1920s.
In the past, there were instances where other broadcasters like ITV and LBC held the rights to the race, but this is the first time the BBC will not air the Boat Race in any format. The decision follows reports that the BBC’s director of sport was not keen on acquiring the rights, citing concerns about the event being seen as elitist. Times Radio stepped in to broadcast the race for free as part of an agreement to promote it across News UK’s network.
The BBC has been experiencing a decline in viewership for the Boat Race in recent years, coupled with rising production costs. The shift in the broadcaster’s strategy under the current sports director has led to the loss of other sports events like the Commonwealth Games. There are ongoing discussions within the BBC about the future of broadcasting events like Wimbledon and the Six Nations.
The chair of The Boat Race Company expressed excitement about the new partnership with Times Radio, highlighting shared values of heritage, tradition, precision, and quality. The upcoming race on April 4 will be covered by Times Radio, offering live coverage and supporting content to listeners.