Foxtel Group announces multi-year extension with Matchroom

The Foxtel Group has signed a new multi-year deal that will ensure subscribers have access to some of the best sport content on the planet.

England's Michael Smith reacts to a nine dart finish. Picture: Adrian DENNIS / AFP.

As the No. 1 ranked darts player who recently collected almost a $1 million dollars for winning the World Championship, you could understand if complacency crept in for English star Michael “Bully Boy” Smith.

“No way, I’ve lost nine majors in a row. Every time I entered a major, I got beaten,” Smith said.

“I had a big CV of tournament finals, but just not the right results.”

Smith repeated second-placed finishes is why he refuses to let his recent success as the finest darts player on the planet result in a big head.

Australian darts enthusiasts, and sports fans, can watch the Englishmen’s brilliance on the board at this weekend’s NSW Darts Masters in Wollongong.

Smith will join seven of the world’s finest darts stars to take on the best players from Australia and New Zealand.

MICHAEL BULLY BOY SMITH - WORLD DARTS CHAMPION 🏆🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🎯#WorldDartsChampionship

pic.twitter.com/cnHzXuyD6o

— Fairplay Exchange (@Fairplayapp) January 3, 2023

The proud St Helens product sent a warning to his rivals that he is ready to take his game to even greater heights.

“I want more,” said the 32-year-old, who has been a runner-up at the World Championship (2019, 22), Premier League (2018), World Matchplay (2019), European Championship (2022), UK Open (2022), The Masters (2020) and World Series Finals (2018).

“I’m not just relying on winning what I wanted and thinking, ‘oh now I’m done’.

“I want to get what I deserve from the sport now.

“I’ve spent a career losing finals, so I’ve spent a career fighting for what I want, but I got bored of being runner up.

“So, I either quit or use it as motivation.”

Smith is expecting to be tested at this weekend’s NSW Darts Masters in Wollongong.

“I’m competing against the best players in the world, so the standard is going to be amazing,” he said.

“I’m also expecting the crowd to be great. They’ll create a real party atmosphere.”

BULLY BOY BATTLES THROUGH! 💪

Reigning Dutch Darts champion Michael Smith makes a winning start in Leeuwarden, averaging over a ton and landing SIX maximums to see off Jim Williams in a high-quality tie!

🔜 Ryan Searle v Dimitri Van den Bergh
📺 https://t.co/M782z4qQ7i | #ET6pic.twitter.com/yw3PeVij4j

— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) April 29, 2023

It comes as the Foxtel Group announced a new multi-year rights extension with Matchroom – a global leader in sports promotion and production.

The continued partnership brings some of the most entertaining sports events, including the World Darts Championship, to the Foxtel Group’s millions of sports subscribers.

Smith believes Foxtel’s broadcast backing is invaluable for the sport of darts.

“It’s massive,” he said.

“It gives us a better paycheck and a global product that is live, and it will only open doors to have more tournaments and our faces on the television more.

“Even though I feel sorry for the public who are going to see us – we’re not the best looking people – but it’s great for darts.”

This weekend’s NSW Darts Masters championship in Wollongong from Friday to Sunday, will be live on Foxtel and Kayo Sports.

Originally published as Foxtel Group announces multi-year extension with Matchroom