We're live from the KC Stadium tonight for full match commentary on the Challenge Cup tie against Salford. Find out if Hull can make it back-to-back wins against the Red Devils from 7pm on Radio Yorkshire.

You can listen on DAB and via rlhttps://www.radioyorkshire.co.ukrl

Why is this being played on a Thursday?

In the hope that Sky would exercise their TV rights and actually televise it?

If so, the ploy didn't work.

Sky were more interested in televising the Challenge Cup in Rugby Union between Sale and Northampton.

Then there was the netball.

And fly fishing.

Quote: William Eve "In the hope that Sky would exercise their TV rights and actually televise it? If so, the ploy didn't work. Sky were more interested in televising the Challenge Cup in Rugby Union between Sale and Northampton. Then there was the netball. And fly fishing.'" Are you this much fun in real life? Oh, is this your shop? www.ramrugby.co.uk/club-shops.html

Quote: William Eve "In the hope that Sky would exercise their TV rights and actually televise it? If so, the ploy didn't work. Sky were more interested in televising the Challenge Cup in Rugby Union between Sale and Northampton. Then there was the netball. And fly fishing.'" Are you this much fun in real life? Oh, is this your shop? www.ramrugby.co.uk/club-shops.html

It appears Hull FC made the decision to play it tonight, not the RFL.

Great decision. Great result. Great hilarity.

Great decision. Great result. Great hilarity.

Oh, please please tell us more about how SKY have killed off the previously thriving Mickey Mouse Cup. The other 30 threads you've posted the same cow dung on just aren't enough.

No, really.

What a fantastic match, Salford winning 36 37 in golden point extra time! Would have been great on TV.

And with an attendance of <6k the mystery of why fans don't give a crap about the CC continues for another year.....

A cup-tie not worthy of a nanosecond of Sky's output. They'd much rather broadcast London Broncos 50+ point hammerings away at Leeds and at home to Castleford in Sooper Dooper League instead.

Quite why they bothered purchasing the rights to broadcast the Challenge Cup when they had no intention of exercising those rights simply beggars belief. Unless it was a deliberate attempt to further marginalise the Challenge Cup?

I can imagine the outcry on these forums had it been the BBC treating the Challenge Cup with such contempt instead.

Sky

I know of three other Salford fans who would have gone if it was Friday, Saturday or Sunday. I get up before 5 to get to work ... so Thursday was a no no.

Don't base the figures on an atypical night.

More than the playoff crowd against Catalan last year. Does that mean people don't give a crap about the playoffs either?

I agree but there obviously is a problem with low challenge cup crowds. To be honest I think the best way forward is to increase season ticket prices and include challenge cup games on club season tickets.
Obviously there would have to be some analysis from each club as to how much to increase the price by but I think it's the best way to get bigger crowds at Challenge Cup games.

I'd also be tempted to look at having a semi-finals double header, with a lot more publicity/marketing for it than currently, to try and boost those crowds.