BBC suffers another major event loss in brutal hit to sporting coverage

The BBC has suffered another setback ahead of this year's Boat Race, after it emerged the broadcaster will also lose its radio coverage of the historic sporting event. Channel 4's five-year agreement to replace the BBC as the television broadcaster of the Boat Race was confirmed last year, dealing a significant blow to its sporting portfolio.

In a further setback,the BBC has now been replaced as the race's radio partner by Times Radio, which has secured a two-year agreement. Live commentary of both the men's and women's Oxford v Cambridge races will also be available on the platform.

The Boat Race, which was first held in 1829 and has been held annually since 1856, marks the first sports rights agreement for Times Radio. The BBC had been the long-standing home of the Boat Race, with its first broadcast coverage in 1924, and had remained so, apart from ITV holding TV rights from 2005-09 and LBC holding the radio rights from 2005-10.

Tim Levell, the programme director of Times Radio, said of the new collaboration: "We're proud to partner with the Boat Race in a three-year deal through to 2028. The Boat Race is a brilliant fit for Times Radio and our listeners, for whom this is a much-loved annual tradition.

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"We know they'll look forward to tuning in on race day with all the buzz and atmosphere from the Thames and exclusive radio commentary of the races themselves. We're especially delighted to support the Women's Race as it approaches its centenary in 2027."

The loss of the Boat Race only heightens reported concerns among BBC staff about the broadcaster's future, as reported by theDaily Mail, amid a steadily shrinking portfolio of sporting events. The broadcaster has lost rights to several sports events in 2026, including England men's home and away matches for the Six Nations.

In addition to the Six Nations, the BBC also lost the rights to broadcast the Commonwealth Games this year. It marks the first time since 1954 that the BBC won't be the main broadcaster for this summer's Commonwealth Games.

Staff are now reportedly worried about the future of Wimbledon. While the BBC still holds the live rights for the Grand Slam until 2027, they've lost the exclusive rights to the tournament's highlights.