Has the increase been announced? I thought the new TV deal was in negotiation. I must have missed any announcement, could you give me a link to it please?

You are correct. It was a publicity announcement of where the clubs would improve from, rather than a confirmation of the deal.

The deal won't be done till next year (IIRC?). But a number of clubs have flagged increasing their squad sizes and rotating players more frequently to avoid burnout. Even if that's only 2 players per club extra, that's a significant reduction in reasonable overseas players available to SL.

I don't think it will mean that SL clubs won't be able to find overseas players - there will still be big names able to get a bigger last payday from SL, and those who want regular first team action - but there will probably be a reduction in the number of 'solid' NRL players available.

I don't see that as a bad thing at all, as there are far too many of that type in SL who in the end don't really benefit clubs or overall youth development.