The Boat Race, a long-standing tradition between Oxford University and Cambridge University, will not be broadcast on BBC this year after the network lost the rights. Channel 4 secured the TV rights in a five-year deal, while Times Radio will now air the event on radio until 2028.
Since the mid-1920s, the BBC has been the exclusive broadcaster of the Boat Race on the Thames, with the first radio broadcast in that era and television coverage starting in 1938. However, this year’s race on April 4 will not be accessible on BBC platforms.
Despite previous interruptions in BBC’s coverage, such as ITV broadcasting from 2005 to 2009 and LBC holding radio rights from 2005 to 2010, this marks the first time in almost a century that the BBC will not air the Boat Race, which attracted 2.6 million viewers last year.
The decision follows reports that the BBC’s director of sport showed little interest in acquiring the rights due to perceived elitism of the event. Times Radio has acquired the rights at no cost, with the condition of promoting it across News UK’s network.
Viewership for the Boat Race on BBC has been declining while production costs rise, leading to a shift in the network’s sports coverage strategy under the leadership of Alex Kay-Jelski. The BBC has also lost rights to events like the Commonwealth Games, raising doubts about retaining Wimbledon and the Six Nations coverage.
Kay-Jelski emphasized that the BBC’s relevance is not solely dependent on live sports, pointing out successful coverage strategies like Formula 1 on audio platforms. The changing media landscape and competition in capturing audience attention were highlighted as crucial factors in the BBC’s evolving approach.
Siobhan Cassidy, Chair of The Boat Race Company, expressed delight in partnering with Times Radio for live coverage, aligning with the event’s values of heritage, tradition, precision, and quality.
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