Errr, so I am to believe that BT Sport, are completely unaware of how TV Rights for sports/Events work, I don't think so!

I think you'll find these TV companies are multi-million pound corparations who employ the right people, these people are fully aware that they need to "lobby" those Organisations they wish to be involved with, they do not sit on their backsides waiting for existing contracts to end.

If BT were interested they would have signalled their interest by now.

Good call Pete

Do people think BT are dumb and only think about today. Sky played a cute game and got what they wanted before BT got close to Big Nige and the scouse get.

The TV contract was not put out to tender to anyone, and it was not due for renewal, be interesting what the increased sum is worth by the time the end of the contract comes around, Sky don't give money away.

Dr Koukash last night said he was most concerned as well at the deal, but the short notice gives by The RFL for the clubs to make a decision seems a tactic! just to push it through.

Why would you bother if no-one else is signalling an interest and Sky are already ramping up the existing deal?

Sky have been rattled by BT Sport so they've moved early to wrap up some of their assets, Rugby League being just one of the contracts they announced last week. They put a deal to the RFL, a deal that gives the RFL enough money to fund the new 2x12/3x8 nonsense and the RFL took it. They then gave the clubs just 24 hours notice and just 2 hours to examine the deal before voting on it.

It works for Sky as they get to shut BT out, and it works for the RFL as it funds their new format and thus secures Wood and Rimmer the support of a few more small clubs.

Is it the best deal for SL? We'll probably never know, but signing away TV rights for 8 years must be a worry. And it also includes international fixtures post 2017, so we'll lose much-needed exposure on terrestrial TV.

Agree with you over all of you main points fully, but it is the best deal, I think we will know in 8 years time! it is claimed the money will now virtually run a Super League costs, I can't see that being the case in 8 years really!

Errr.......WHAT exposure on terrestrial TV are you talking about, exactly???

The BBC's coverage of the World Cup was nothing short of appalling!

They actually aired a live WOMENS International Union game rather than an international RL WORLD CUP fixture, is that really BETTER? .... REALLY????

The attention we got during the RLWC, from media and sports fans in general, was massively increased by having games visible on terrestrial TV instead of being buried on Sky at 6pm on a Saturday. For the first time a many years people who don't follow the game were talking about the fixtures and how England were doing.

Premier Sports covered every match in The World Cup with superb commentary, then The RFL pulls the carpet from beneath them!

Like what The Good Dr Koukash had to say this morning at The Salford Media launch, in answer to the Sky deal and the England coach going to Australia;

""Maybe I've said too much ... no, I haven't said enough. The RFL, before they come out and make all the statements, I think of that song, who are you kidding Mr Hitler? Sorry, Mr Wood."

Premier Sports are a budget channel that wants sports for free or very cheap so they aren't going to be treated any differently.

Did he really quote REM and Dad's Army in the same sentence? Wow.

We were mighty glad of Premier, when Sky got tired of The Championship! Yes Sky wanted the Championship back, but in business there are ways to deal with people, you never know when you may need them again.

London Broncos fans discussing the SKY TV deal for the next period of SL is like Turkeys discussing what their favourite brand of Cranberry sauce is
We have an extra 300k from SKY. This money would have been great if it could be spent 100% on marketing the 13 home games this year........I suspect it will be used to make our books look slightly more attractive to the Cypriot Landlord

What, exactly, is the relevance of him being Cypriot?

..it highlights the rich Cypriot heritage in Rugby League that patently makes London Broncos such a delicious investment opportunity........If he's Turkish Cypriot, even more so

I think it may turn out to be a good deal. Sports, specifically football, are looking very overpriced with the competition between Sky and BT Sport. I doubt that will be the case in a couple of years time, and we may see a drop in the value of TV rights.