PDC darts may transfer away from Sky Sports as Barry Hearn seeks bumper new deal
Barry Hearn has hinted the PDC may cut up from Sky Sports, regardless of partnering with the broadcaster for over 30 years.
The 75-year-old, whose Matchroom firm owns the PDC, has been a driving pressure behind darts’ explosion into the mainstream of British sport over the previous few a long time.
With the organisation’s take care of Sky Sports set to run out in 18 months, and Luke Littler’s emergence sending viewing figures by means of the roof, Hearn has teased the thought of change in broadcasters. Speaking to The Telegraph, Hearn mentioned: “Like everything else, my job is to maximise the income of the players and entertain the public.”
READ MORE: Sky Sports darts host Emma Paton tipped Luke Littler success three weeks in the past
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Darts is among the most-watched sports activities within the UK and its worldwide attraction grows yearly. Over the previous couple of weeks, 16-year-old Littler has helped carry the sport to folks of all ages, backgrounds and creeds, and Hearn has steered a extra profitable deal may very well be on the playing cards in a year-and-a-half’s time.
“Darts is Matchroom’s biggest business – it’s bigger than boxing – and has become a huge global business,” Hearn continued. “I’ve always said that I think darts is a working man’s golf. It’s ordinary people with extraordinary ability.
Where will darts be shown if their deal with Sky Sports isn’t renewed? Let us know in the feedback part beneath.
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“My wife’s highly critical of everything I do and suddenly she’s saying, ‘This kid [Littler] is amazing’. It’s a pretty good measuring stick for the British and world population.
“A variety of thought goes into how will we hold the door open to folks with applicable expertise, and this child hasn’t opened the door, he’s smashed it down,” Hearn added. “It goes past character as a result of he’s such a beautiful participant to look at.
“Even if you weren’t a darts fan you would go, ‘Blimey, his knowledge of numbers and counting is exemplary. His brain and speed are phenomenal’. This kid is very different. People are going, ‘Who is that 16 year old?’ Something happens that you hadn’t anticipated and you think, ‘Bloody hell, there’s a whole new level … a whole new audience’.”
