7.2 million viewers tuned into ITV’s coverage of the 2006 Boat Race. That was an increase of 1.2 million on the previous year.

ITV signed a five-year contract to broadcast The Race from 2005 onwards. The 2005 Race was the 177th anniversary of the first Race in 1829. From 1938 - 2004 the Race was broadcast by the BBC. In 2004 The Race attracted 8.9 million UK viewers.

The BBC are still involved in the Boat Race family. BBC Worldwide provide the broadcast sales operation for The Boat Race around the world.

ITV Press Contacts:

Press contact: Mike Large for ITV on 0207 843 8018 Picture contact: Pat Smith for ITV on 0207 261 3474