Everton fan. Probably doesn't know our game exists.

Not having ANY matches Televised live on Free to air TV hasnt been a problem for footballs Premier League has it............

I dont see A problem someone will want to show the Challenge cup........

Polar opposites on the sporting spectrum.

Some of you seem to be confussed.

As the CC Final has been on FTA it doesnt mean that the BBC has only been allowed to show it. It means they have been the only ones bothered to bid for it.

It's only the final that was/is protected so any oay channel could have bid to shown round matches but with the lack of the final no one bothered.

Making the CC open to market should be good news for the game as they will be open to offers from all channels.

No one moans about sky showing all the union cup finals.

I disagree with the policy that certain sporting events have to be 'Free to air' . They should be left to the parties involved to make whatever viewing arrangments they like.

The problem for the Rugby League authorities is that they presently have an expansionist policy, meaning that they want their sport viewed by as many potential converts as possible.

Isolating the coverage onto a pay channel like Sky means it lessens the chance for these people to see our sport.

Cricket is in a similar catch 22 situation, whereby they have budgeted for Sky's huge financial input, yet are suffering from a lack of exposure to youngsters who make up the future of the game....Witness the difference in reaction to this summer's Ashes win, in comparison with 2005....Cricket clubs were floooded with interested youngsters in 2005, whilst this year there as been barely a ripple of interest, mainly due to the fact that the kids were not seeing the actual action on Terrestrial TV.

It will stay with the BBC as 1) Sky won't want it as it dillutes their SL offering. 2) No one else will bid 3) Due to 1 and 2 will be cheap and the BBC can only show cheap sports now.

As for the expansionist argument...how long has the CC been on BBC out of the last 35 years....?

Several things here:

1) the win in 2005 was notable for the fact it was the first for bloody ages
2) it was one of the finest series ever
3) the 09 series was comparatively dull
4) loads of kids have Sky/Virgin
5) kids can still watch highlights on terrestrial telly either way (which I would have to say I'd prefer my lad to do, rather than veg out in front of a whole day's play. Like his dad).

Blaming Sky for fewer kids turning up at cricket clubs after this year's series is pretty specious, in my view.

Nigel Wood's reaction (taken from BBC Sport)"We are disappointed by this report and will be lobbying the government, the Secretary of State and the Sports Minister over the coming weeks to ignore its findings.

"When we presented our case earlier this year only three out of eight panel members were actually present and we were not given any indication that such a major decision was being considered." '"

After giving this some consideration, it won't be a bad thing for us Warrington Fans as we will be cheering our players on at Wembley anyway.

This is getting interesting. The England and Wales Cricket Board are now up in arms due to the fact that they will lose a lot of Sky money if this goes ahead, whilst RL fans are moaning because it may not be on the BBC. The ironic thing is that people on this Site have moaned for years about the poor standards of broadcasting when our games are on the BBC, now they don't want it to stop.

We may as well get rid of it if the BBC don't show it.

Why do we charge admission fees to come and watch Warrington?

Surely if we want to increase our exposure to the maximum audience possible, we should make it free entry.

The revenue lost from ticket sales would be more than compensated by the extra exposure....somehow, I think?

...Very mischeivous Sally.

Seriously, its a lot more complicated than that, and I think you know it...

Using your example then.....If Wire decided to charge £35 to watch a match, compared to say a tenner, would we get the same attendance??...

More than likely, for £35 you'd get your real hardcore fans, with virtually no casuals turning up....for the tenner you'd get a lot more casuals.

Of course, its got to be a case of balancing up your budgets....Either take a hit in your wallet in order to gain more exposure, or simply go with your faithful followers and keep the purse topped up.