BBC ditches Boat Race amid claims director of sport ‘views it as elitist’

Dropping the Boat Race: a sign the BBC has lost its romantic spirit

The Boat Race has always been a bit of an odd fish. How extraordinary that a contest between two small, ancient universities should have captivated national — and international — audiences for so long. The first race was held in 1829, and the BBC has televised it (with a few years of interruption) since 1938. That is, until now. That’s because the broadcaster has just lost the TV rights to the Oxford-Cambridge race to Channel 4. The reason isn’t…

BBC ditches Boat Race amid claims director of sport ‘views it as elitist’

Channel 4 secures five-year deal to broadcast an event that the corporation believes does not offer value for its audience

Channel 4 secures Oxford University Boat Race for next five years

Channel 4 has won the rights to be the exclusive broadcaster of the Oxford University and Cambridge University Boat Race for the next five years.

Channel 4 takes Boat Race rights from BBC as Oxford challenge Cambridge in 2026 varsity showdown

The Boat Race has launched ahead of its return in April, with a head-turning change in broadcaster.

BBC loses rights to sporting event in huge blow as Channel 4 signs multi-year deal - The Mirror

The iconic Boat Race has been largely shown on the BBC since it was first broadcast on TV in 1938, but it has now found a new home on Channel 4

BBC 'loses major event to Channel 4' despite viewing figures higher than Masters

THE BBC has lost the rights to show The Boat Race to Channel 4.The event has predominantly been shown by the BBC since first being broadcast in 1938.I