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Channel 4 has secured the broadcasting rights to The Boat Race, marking the end of the BBC’s extensive coverage.
This prestigious event has primarily been showcased by the BBC since its inception in 1938.
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Credit: AFP
It was also previously broadcasted by ITV from 2005 to 2009.
Now, Channel 4 will take over the broadcasting rights following a five-year agreement.
This signifies another notable shift in sports broadcasting rights away from the BBC, despite its impressive audience numbers.
A peak viewership of 2.82 million tuned in to watch The Boat Race this past April.
This made it the top-rated sporting event that weekend on both free and paid television, outpacing The Masters golf tournament and the Bahrain Grand Prix.
The women’s race alone attracted a peak audience of 2.18 million, demonstrating a 14% increase from the previous year.
Channel 4’s deal encompasses the centenary of the women’s race and the bicentenary of the men’s event.
The 2026 race is slated for April 4.
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As Pete Andrews, Channel 4’s head of sport, remarked to City AM: “It’s about more than just Oxford against Cambridge.
“Viewers have become accustomed to experiencing this remarkable event.
Chief coaches from Oxford and Cambridge share their feelings leading up to The Boat Race
“It’s a free celebration for London, open to everyone, and embodies a quintessentially British experience.”
