Maybe, but the BBC also screen the Challenge Cup nationally.

The RFL could easily ensure that the package should include at least one Quins home game, one Celtic home game etc, and I think the BBC would treat live sports better than they do a highlights show.

At the end of the day, there is no way of knowing for sure how receptive the BBC would be to the idea of screening a small number of SL games on a Sunday afternoon.

But, one thing is for sure, the way SL rights are currently sold effectively prohibits terrestrial television from screening live SL, which is a shame.

The Challenge Cup final is a protected event and so legally, it has to be shown nationally. The Beeb shows the competition from round four nationally but I suspect that's more to build up to the final.



It's all ifs / buts / maybes. The reality is that if the BBC were that bothered to show Super League nationally, those down south wouldn't be watching Country File instead of the Super League Show.



I'd say that the current levels of coverage on TV and on Radio Five are a good indicator.



The way they are sold now is geared towards what is mutually best for all involved. Ie, the best value package in terms of finance and coverage for the RFL, along with what suits Sky. There is nothing to stop any other broadcaster from coming in with a comparable, or better, offer. It's just that to date, nobody has done.

Because nobody else wants to show two live games every week, which is pretty much the minimum if you want to storm in and win exclusive rights.

The way the rights are packaged and sold stops anyone else being interested.

And they've got the rights to the whole comp … how many games do they actually choose to broadcast?

The fact they don't choose to broadcast lower league clubs playing to 500 people doesn't mean they wouldn't broadcast Wigan V Hull in a Super League tie.

The main reason this is unworkable comes down to Sky's exclusivity. They aren't going to give anything away, especially not for the same place. There would be plenty of households that maybe struggle to afford Sky every week but keep it for the rugby league. If you gave them the option of 10 games a year for free then they might choose that instead. Therefore Sky have lost money.

It seems to me that Sky give us an offer take it or leave it, non-negotiable. Don't forget the one time we did try to negotiate over the issue of internationals then they came back with a reduced offer.

Declaration mentioned that they aren't a charity and they aren't. They pay the minimum they can to keep the sport at the level that it is at safe in the knowledge that nobody will bid anything like they do and that we need them to survive. They have us by the balls and they will take everything they can, it makes perfect sense for them.

If this new package resulted in one person cancelling their sports package then Sky have lost out. So they simply won't allow it to happen.

The idea in principle is a good one, but as has already been mentioned, is unworkable due to Sky and how much money they would offer for non-exclusivity.

Why not try this with the other competitions we have though?

Challenge Cup for instance. Sky are now showing NL/Championship games. Could they not show a lower-level Challenge Cup game also? Split the rights up so that BBC get the first two choices, and Sky (if they want them) the third choice? Better publicity would result (as Sky might actually acknowledge the Cup more if they're showing it!). Possibly even a third-round game.

BBC don't have us by the balls, so it's less of a gamble doing this with them.

I've just checked the veiwing figures for sky for the last month and the numbers are dropping like mad,the lions tour was pulling in 500k compared to our 36k national league to a high of 170k for a super league game....some games didn't reach 100k for a super league game....now thats a very big worry

As most of you expansionist believe we will get more veiwers with these far flung teams...seems people are voting with there remotes

500k isn't good for the Lions.

Hmmmm international touring team which only plays every 4 years against a club matches on 28 weeks a year (plus playoffs).....I wonder!

i have an idea and it'll work because hey im not mad.

Here it is

1. Put Radio 5 live on or whatever BBC radio channel it's on.
2. Put GPS chips in all the players boots
3. Put an animation screen up on one of those obscure 301/2/3/4 channels they have or a computer with dots with numbers on.
4. Follow the action premier manager style.

No rights lost, bobs your uncle

Back to square one …

All this banging on about getting the BBC to show a game, they are stuggling to scheduale the Superleague show at the moment with F1 and other things. Not long now till full digital switch over what will they do when they can't show it on BBC2 analogue.