Sky Sports commentator Wayne Mardle is reportedly set to join ITV's restructured darts coverage from 2026 whilst maintaining his existing broadcasting commitments on the satellite channel.
The broadcaster known as 'Hawaii 501' has emerged as the preferred candidate to spearhead ITV's revamped presentation team, according to report.
His non-exclusive arrangement with Sky permits work for other broadcasters, enabling him to feature on terrestrial television whilst prioritising commitments to the World Darts Championship and Premier League coverage.
The dual role would see Mardle continue his decade-long association with Sky, where he has become synonymous with memorable moments including Michael Smith's nine-dart finish that prompted his famous "I can't spake" reaction.
TRENDING
Stories
Videos
Your Say
The new three-year broadcasting arrangement commences in January and encompasses tournaments including the UK Open, European Championship, World Series events and Players Championship Finals across ITV4 and ITVX.
The agreement between ITV and the PDC extends their partnership through 2028, with Matchroom Media assuming control of production duties.
Wayne Mardle will work with ITV on their new darts coverage
|PA
Coverage will feature the Winmau World Masters from Milton Keynes as an early fixture in the revamped schedule.
The broadcasting calendar avoids conflicts with Sky's flagship tournaments, allowing presenters to work across both networks.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
ITV's terrestrial platform continues to showcase major PDC events, maintaining free-to-air access to professional darts alongside the subscription-based Sky Sports coverage.
ITV's presenting team faces significant upheaval following confirmed departures of Jacqui Oatley after a decade and Ned Boulting after seventeen years at the Players Championship Finals.
Oatley announced her exit on social media, stating: "En route to Minehead for my final darts tournament with ITV Sport. It's been an incredible ten-plus years, far longer for some of the other pundits/crew."
Jacqui Oatley is set to leave the ITV presenting team in a major shake-up
|PA
She added: "The darts will continue on ITV4 but a different production. So all good. I'll be watching with my slippers on instead of sequins."
Stuart Pyke has indicated he will remain exclusively with Sky Sports rather than transitioning to the new production team.
The departures mark the conclusion of ITV Sport's longstanding darts broadcasting era.
Matchroom has assumed production responsibilities for ITV's darts programming, with speculation surrounding potential retention of existing personnel who have worked on PDC and World Series broadcasts.
Chris Mason's previous involvement with talkSPORT and PDC European Tour productions positions him as a possible continuity figure in the restructured team.
Mark Webster and Dan Dawson, both current Sky Sports contributors, have experience with World Series events previously produced by Matchroom, suggesting their potential involvement.
TalkSport reports that Dawson could join Mardle in a dual capacity across both broadcasters.
The transition represents a comprehensive overhaul of ITV's approach to darts broadcasting, blending established voices with Matchroom's production expertise.