The Boat Race will not be broadcast by the BBC on TV or radio for the first time in almost a hundred years as they have lost the rights. Channel 4 secured the TV rights for the renowned event in a five-year agreement six months ago, while Times Radio has now acquired the radio rights until 2028.
Since the mid-1920s, the BBC has been the traditional broadcaster of the rowing race between Oxford University and Cambridge University on the Thames, initially airing it on the radio and later televising it in 1938. However, this year’s race, scheduled for April 4, will have a different broadcasting platform.
While there have been instances in the past where other broadcasters like ITV and LBC held rights to the event, this marks the first time the BBC will not showcase the Boat Race, which garnered 2.6 million viewers last year.
Reports suggest that the BBC’s director of sport, Alex Kay-Jelski, exhibited little interest in retaining the rights due to perceiving the race as ‘elitist’. Times Radio secured the rights without charge, with the condition that they promote it across News UK’s network.
The BBC has witnessed a decline in viewership for the Boat Race in recent years, coupled with escalating production expenses. Kay-Jelski, who assumed the role at BBC Sport in 2024, has initiated changes in the corporation’s strategy, leading to the loss of broadcasting rights for events like the Commonwealth Games.
Kay-Jelski emphasized that the BBC can stay relevant without live sports, highlighting the shift in media consumption patterns towards digital platforms like mobile phones. He underscored the importance of engaging audiences through various content formats, regardless of live sports broadcasting.
Siobhan Cassidy, Chair of The Boat Race Company, expressed delight in partnering with Times Radio for live coverage of the event, aligning with the values of heritage, tradition, precision, and quality upheld by both entities and their audiences.
For horse racing enthusiasts, a promotion offering a free shop bet inside the racing paper during the Cheltenham festival was announced, providing expert insights and coverage of the event. Terms and conditions apply for participants aged 18 and above.