Channel 4 will broadcast the Boat Races for the first time on Saturday, taking over from the BBC with a fresh approach aimed at widening the event's appeal. The broadcaster, known for its progressive coverage of elite sport, has introduced reality TV star Jamie Laing and presenter Ade Adepitan to the on-screen team alongside Clare Balding, who previously fronted the BBC's coverage.
The move follows the BBC's decision to drop the event, which has been part of the English calendar since 1829. Organisers and Channel 4 insist the switch will attract new audiences. “It’s about coming in with a new set of eyes,” said Pete Andrews, Channel 4’s head of sport. Production company FilmNova, which previously worked on the BBC broadcasts, plans innovations including relatable comparisons and a "fantasy boat" featuring sportspeople like Serena Williams and Paula Radcliffe.
On the water, the Oxford women’s team, led by Olympic bronze medallist Heidi Long, aims to end an eight-race losing streak against Cambridge. Long, 29, won bronze in the women’s eight at Paris 2024 and is targeting gold at Los Angeles 2028. She balances full-time training with "micro-studying" for her degree and draws motivation from her late father Keith, who died before the Paris Games.
The races also highlight broader issues, such as sewage pollution in the Thames by Thames Water. Cambridge’s Carys Earl, a medical student, described her gruelling schedule of hospital shifts and early-morning training. “Sleep is not something you get to do very often,” she said.
Siobhan Cassidy, chair of the Boat Race company, emphasised the athletes’ dedication: “Everyone will have earned their place at Oxford or Cambridge on academic ability. They just happen to be incredibly hard-working, dedicated rowers.”
