The Boat Race, a traditional rowing event between Oxford University and Cambridge University, will not be broadcast by the BBC on TV or radio this year. Channel 4 secured the TV rights in a long-term deal, while Times Radio will now handle the radio broadcast until 2028. This marks a significant shift as the BBC has been the long-standing home of the Boat Race since the mid-1920s, with the event first airing on radio and later on TV in 1938. However, this year’s race on April 4 will be exclusively available through other channels.
In the past, there were instances where other broadcasters like ITV and LBC held rights to the Boat Race, but this is the first time in nearly a century that the BBC will not air the event in any capacity. The decision comes after reports that the BBC’s director of sport viewed the race as ‘elitist,’ leading to a lack of enthusiasm in retaining the rights. Times Radio acquired the rights for free but agreed to promote the event across News UK’s network.
BBC’s viewership for the Boat Race has been declining, coupled with rising production costs. The change in approach towards sports broadcasting at the BBC, led by the director of sport, has resulted in the loss of rights to events like the Commonwealth Games. There are internal doubts about the future of broadcasting Wimbledon and the Six Nations on the BBC, with a focus on relevance beyond live sports coverage.
The Chair of The Boat Race Company expressed delight in partnering with Times Radio for live coverage of the event, emphasizing shared values of heritage, tradition, precision, and quality. The move signifies a shift in media landscape dynamics, where traditional broadcasters are facing new challenges in audience engagement and relevance in the digital age.