I sacrificed my 6 pack many years ago lol, if I had no other way of watching NRL I'd probably get it but my Sky bill has gradually crept up and up and I need to draw the line somewhere.

It does have a way of doing that doesn't it, slyly creeping up. To be honest I am considering scrapping my Sky Sports package apart from Sky Sports 1 and subscribing to MSK as its generally only the second rate games that are not on Sky Sports 1.

I heard a few weeks back that Sky plan to put Sky Sports 1 & 2 on Freeview as a Top-Up option.

yeah the annoying thing is you used to be able to get SS1 and 3 and they only ever had rugby on those two channels, then they started gradually putting them on 2 from time to time and now apart from the big games its pretty much a lottery especially when Guinness Premiership season starts when they'll have some crap rah rah game on SS1 on a Friday night. I think our Magic Weekend game was on SS4 which you can only get when you have both SS1 and 2. It wouldn't annoy me as much if they had a decent Rugby programme on like the footy show in Aus but since Boots n All became two programmes it just seems even more rushed for some reason. I also hate the fact that they choose games like Harlequins v Crusaders all the time, there was a long period where most of the games seemed uninspiring. They didn't even show Saints home game v Wire this year for some strange reason, I know they have to show so many games for each team but surely that'd have been near top of the list for a 'must show' game beforehand?

sky told me this morning that it is part of the sky sports package. Anyone else been told the same?

no as far as I'm aware they're doing an all in deal with ESPN at the moment but not MSK. I rang a few and told Sky I was cancelling and got a month free on all 4 sky sports and ESPN followed by 2 months at £8 a month. I know people who have worked at Sky and its always worth trying it on with them but don't tell them you only watch Rugby League or your offers will come in the offseason

Got some stuff about that in the post yesterday - rolling one-month contract, first month free, though there was mention of a £20 connection fee that may apply in the small print. Something like £23 a month for SS1 or £32 a month for SS1 and SS2, plus a bit extra for ESPN on top if you want that. Seems quite an expensive way to do it, but you're not tied into a lengthy contract, I guess.

BT are going Sky Sports 1 for £6.99 after the recent monopoly pricing ruling, might suit you circumstances although i'm not sure what phone package you might also need to buy........

Sky also have a clever habit of swapping what channels sports are beamed out on which might increase now they have another competitor !?!?!?

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It's 34p a game if they are showing five games a week like they are doing for the next 3 at least.

Sky are putting SS1 and 2 on all other platforms as a solution to being challenged about it.

SS News is going to be on pay Sky only and in HD.

Only Sky will have all 5 HD SS Channels, Virgin getting 1 and 2.

I wouldn't mind betting the most watched content will shift to 3 and 4, with token gestures to 1 and 2.

They won't get away with doing that to Premier League action but the Carling Cup for example will be solely on Sky Sports 3 for example. They'll be clever to do a few more switches like that without being too obvious.

You're keener than I am if you get up for the Sunday morning game.

Mind you, I'm only rolling in at that time most Sunday's so might be worth it.

True!