ITV will proceed to supply snooker and darts protection into 2025 after agreeing a one-year extension to its take care of Matchroom Sport.
Reside protection of this week’s British Open is at the moment accessible to UK and Irish viewers by the broadcaster.
ITV has dedicated to exhibiting free-to-air protection of the British Open for an additional 12 months along with the Champion of Champions, the Tour Championship, and the Gamers Championship.
That, nevertheless, is 2 tournaments lower than what’s being aired on the channel in 2024.
The notable omission is the World Grand Prix, which is ready to return to the snooker calendar in 2025 however has but to be formally introduced.
It’s extensively anticipated that the World Grand Prix, which is the primary occasion on the Gamers Collection that additionally consists of the Gamers and the Tour Championships, will transfer to Hong Kong this season.
With the numerous distinction in time zones, it seems as if ITV has reservations with committing to that match.
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 12 months.
Luca Brecel and Reanne Evans mixed to raise the title on the expense of Mark Selby and Rebecca Kenna, however the format was much-maligned and it’s not very shocking to see it absent from the 2024/25 schedule to this point.
It will be a pity if there may be to be much less snooker proven stay on ITV given its general dedication to the game through the years.
But the one-year extension stays constructive with ITV representing one in every of snooker’s largest and most essential 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 very least seven World Collection of Darts world occasions, and the World Collection of Darts Finals.
Marking the large growth in darts at current, The Masters has been expanded from 24 to 32 gamers for 2025 to supply an additional session for viewers in January as a part of ITV’s biggest-ever 12 months of darts protection.
Niall Sloane, ITV Director of Sport, mentioned: “We’re delighted to increase our partnership with Matchroom, and proceed to deliver 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 present big-name occasions our viewers take pleasure in yearly.”
Tom Rowell, WST Chief Advertising and Communications Officer, mentioned: “That is improbable information for snooker followers.”
“They’ll proceed to have the ability to watch the game’s largest names throughout a spread of prestigious occasions over the 2024/25 season, on free-to-air ITV platforms.
“We sit up for working with ITV’s excellent workforce, beginning at this week’s British Open in Cheltenham.”
PDC Chief Government Matt Porter mentioned: “ITV have been a valued accomplice of the PDC for over 15 years and have broadcast many iconic moments throughout that point.”
“With a lot pleasure across the sport for the time being, we’re trying ahead to an exhilarating 2025.”
Featured photograph credit score: WST
