ITV has won exclusive television rights to the Oxford v Cambridge University Boat Race it was announced today.

In a five year deal with P to M Limited, the rights holders for the race, ITV will become the home of the prestigious contest from 2005 to 2009.

ITV will showcase the Boat Race in an extended live programme presented by Gabby Logan and Olympic rowing gold medallist James Cracknell, as well as capturing the build up to the big day in a special documentary.

Nigel Pickard, Director of Programmes for ITV said: ‘ITV is committed to bringing the biggest and best sporting events, free -to-air, to ITV viewers and the Boat Race fits that bill perfectly. It joins a strong line up of top flight live sporting events on ITV alongside the UEFA Champions League, Rugby World Cup and Formula One.’

Brian Barwick, ITV Controller of Sport said: ‘The Boat Race is an integral part of the British sporting year – it has a genuine history, nationwide appeal and has produced some superb competition in recent times. It is a very telegenic event and ITV Sport looks forward to the challenge of giving it the same prominence as our other big sporting events.’

Christopher Rodrigues, London Representative Designate of the University Boat Clubs, said ‘ITV clearly understood the event and needs of the University Boat Clubs and won the broadcast rights because of the high quality partnership agreement they offered to us as organisers of the Boat Race, one of Britain’s iconic sporting events’.

Further information:

Gary Double 07768 825114
Ruth Settle 020 7843 8225
Caroline Searle 01225 383 518/07831 755351