The historic Boat Race is set to embrace a new era of relatability as it moves to Channel 4, with organisers hoping reality television stars and deeper insights into athletes’ lives will draw in fresh audiences.
The five-year broadcast deal, announced in October, initially raised concerns among some who viewed the departure from long-standing hosts the BBC as a worrying sign for the 197-year-old British tradition.
However, those in charge see the shift as a prime opportunity to captivate new viewers with a revamped broadcast, while still catering to its traditional fanbase.
Olympic bronze medallist and Oxford women’s president Heidi Long told the Press Association: “It’s a big change, but so much in the world of media is changing. I don’t think it necessarily is a good thing or a bad thing, but I think it’s a change.
“One of the fun opportunities that we’ve had working with Channel 4 is unlocking (our personalities), and so much about sport is the athletes and the people taking part in it.”
Channel 4 has enlisted former Made in Chelsea star Jamie Laing to join Saturday’s broadcast team, alongside seasoned presenter Clare Balding and Boat Race hosting newcomer Ade Adepitan.
Adepitan commented: “When it comes to the Boat Race, it can feel quite intriguing, quite enigmatic, something that’s far off from people. I think what Channel 4 want to do is open it up. If (Channel 4) can do what we’ve done with the Paralympics to the Boat Race, the sky’s the limit, literally.”
Media production managing director Phil Sibson revealed that the broadcast will incorporate “relatable comparisons” to other sports, clever “visual props”, and exclusive footage of the crews enjoying outings away from their academic institutions.
Boat Race chair Siobhan Cassidy added: “Maybe (people) don’t know everything there is about the Boat Race, and actually they’re young people that are really relatable. They’re working really hard.
“Everyone here will have earned their place at Oxford and Cambridge based on academic ability only; they just happen to be incredibly hard-working and dedicated rowers at the same time.”
Yet, this push for relatability has its inherent limitations. This year marks the second of luxury brand Chanel’s title sponsorship, and many of the student-athletes’ stories are far from ordinary.
Oxford men’s stroke Harry Geffen has represented Great Britain at under-23 level, including last year’s world championships. Meanwhile, Carys Earl, in the Cambridge women’s four seat, balances two daily training sessions with demanding medical studies.
Earl, who hopes to achieve a personal hat-trick in the light blue boat, has delivered babies before joining her crew and, on at least one occasion, left a surgical theatre at 3am to make training two hours later.
She affirmed: “It’s hard work, it’s full on, and sleep is not something you get to do very often, but it’s incredible the opportunities that I’m given, and I want to make the very most of it.”
