ITV will proceed to offer snooker and darts protection into 2025 after agreeing a one-year extension to its cope with Matchroom Sport.
Reside protection of this week’s British Open is at present obtainable to UK and Irish viewers by the broadcaster.
ITV has dedicated to displaying free-to-air protection of the British Open for an additional yr along with the Champion of Champions, the Tour Championship, and the Gamers Championship.
That, nonetheless, is 2 tournaments lower than what’s being aired on the channel in 2024.
The notable omission is the World Grand Prix, which is about to return to the snooker calendar in 2025 however has but to be formally introduced.
It has been rumoured that the World Grand Prix, which is the primary occasion on the Gamers Sequence that additionally consists of the Gamers and the Tour Championships, will transfer to Hong Kong this season – though nothing has been confirmed.
Ronnie O’Sullivan triumphed in the newest version of the World Grand Prix in January when he beat Judd Trump 10-7 in Leicester.
The World Combined Doubles has additionally apparently been dropped from the rotation, an occasion that was poorly acquired by gamers and followers alike earlier this yr.
Luca Brecel and Reanne Evans mixed to elevate the title on the expense of Mark Selby and Rebecca Kenna, however the format was much-maligned and it’s not very stunning to see it absent from the 2024/25 schedule up to now.
It might be a pity if there may be to be much less snooker proven dwell on ITV given its total dedication to the game through the years.
But the one-year extension stays optimistic with ITV representing one among snooker’s largest and most vital long-term TV companions.
Snooker occasions on ITV (2024/25 season)
British Open: September 23-29
Champion of Champions: November 11-17
Gamers Championship: March 17-23
Tour Championship: March 31 – April 6
The extension additionally consists of a number of high-profile Skilled Darts Company occasions, together with The Masters, UK Open, European Championship, Gamers Championship Finals, at the least seven World Sequence of Darts international occasions, and the World Sequence of Darts Finals.
Marking the massive growth in darts at current, The Masters has been expanded from 24 to 32 gamers for 2025 to offer an additional session for viewers in January as a part of ITV’s biggest-ever yr of darts protection.
Niall Sloane, ITV Director of Sport, mentioned: “We’re delighted to increase our partnership with Matchroom, and proceed to convey free-to-air protection to darts and snooker followers on ITV and ITVX.”
“The deal consists of The Masters because it enters an thrilling growth of its match alongside the prevailing big-name occasions our viewers take pleasure in yearly.”
Tom Rowell, WST Chief Advertising and marketing and Communications Officer, mentioned: “That is unbelievable information for snooker followers.”
“They are going to proceed to have the ability to watch the game’s largest names throughout a variety of prestigious occasions over the 2024/25 season, on free-to-air ITV platforms.
“We stay up for working with ITV’s excellent workforce, beginning at this week’s British Open in Cheltenham.”
PDC Chief Govt Matt Porter mentioned: “ITV have been a valued associate of the PDC for over 15 years and have broadcast many iconic moments throughout that point.”
“With a lot pleasure across the sport in the intervening time, we’re wanting ahead to an exciting 2025.”
Featured photograph credit score: WST