The Boat Race, a long-standing event featuring Oxford University and Cambridge University rowing teams on the Thames, will not be broadcast by the BBC this year. Channel 4 secured the TV rights in a recent deal, while Times Radio will handle the radio coverage until 2028.
Since the mid-1920s, the BBC has been the traditional broadcaster for the race, airing it on radio and television. However, this year’s event on April 4 will be shown exclusively elsewhere.
This shift marks the first time the BBC will not air the Boat Race, which attracted a considerable viewership of 2.6 million last year. The decision follows reports that the BBC’s director of sport viewed the event as ‘elitist’, leading to a change in broadcasting rights.
The decline in viewership and rising production costs influenced the BBC’s decision. The corporation’s new approach under BBC Sport’s director includes relinquishing coverage of events like the Commonwealth Games and now the Boat Race.
Despite these changes, the BBC remains focused on engaging audiences through alternative media channels. The new media landscape emphasizes digital content delivery, with a shift towards online and mobile platforms for sports coverage.
Times Radio expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, emphasizing shared values of heritage and quality with the Boat Race. The upcoming race on April 4 will mark the beginning of this new broadcasting era.
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