TV boost for National League
Clubs outside Super League are hoping to receive their biggest boost for more than a decade, with British Eurosport set to show live National League matches on Thursday nights this year.
The Rugby Football League are thought to have brokered a deal which would break the near monopoly on domestic league fixtures that Sky have enjoyed since the formation of Super League in 1996.
The deal will also raise the league's hopes of securing a new sponsor for the second-tier competition following the withdrawal of LHF Healthplan at the end of last season.
The only National League matches shown live in recent years have been the Grand Final and the Northern Rail Cup final, which were both televised by Sky - while the BBC has followed the play-offs through Rugby League Raw, a late-night magazine programme.
Now clubs who have enjoyed success in the Super League era but are currently struggling - such as Widnes, Halifax and Castleford - are facing the likelihood of playing regular Thursday night matches to avoid clashing with Sky's weekend Super League coverage.
RFL media manager Andrew Whitelam said: "We have always been seeking to maximise broadcast coverage for the exciting rugby league produced by the National League competitions and are continuing to do so."
