get the feeling Sky seem to think the game needs them more than we need them! hopefully the TNT (bt sports) deal is a much improved offer than what sly sports are offering!

I can see both sides, the game has repeatedly promised a new structure or expansion and failed the deliver I bet they are tired of hearing SL presentations.

Also not so sure broadcasters will be that keen on no relegation as it creates a talking point, Cas-Wakefield in a few weeks will be one of the most eagerly awaited fixtures of the season for example.

When nobody else has bothered to bid for X amount of years, it's sort of true.

If TNT offer the same money but without any of the current commentary team apart from Brian Carney, Mark Wilson and JJB, we should take that deal

Yes, the dream ticket of Ray French & Jonathan Davies would be mouth-watering.

Just thought another bonus of TNT would be its very likely theyd avoid Thursdays as they show the Europa League and conference, so they may prefer Fridays and Saturday or Sunday nights

And John Kear, who as much as I will forever love him for the moment in my profile photo mentions his Sheffield cup win every appearance!

So you'd be happy with another 3 or so years of McDermott, o Conor, Stuart Pyke, bill Arthur, Phil Clarke, Jon wilkin etc? (Not saying french and Davies are the answer)

There's only O'Connor who gets on my paps from that list - he sounds thick & often just states the bleedin obvious for something to say. Pyke sounds like he has just auditioned for Marlon Brando's Godfather role, but does generally talk sense, which is unusual for someone from St Helens. I'd plumb for Brian Noble & Andrew Voss, but I worry more about the game than the commentators or officials.

He did make a career out of it

Im sure someone from SL stated a few weeks back they hoped to announce the TV deal in June/July, its now July 18th...

For the 2/3 of the clubs who arent flushed with cash this is surely a bigger concern with every passing week when it comes to signing players for the next few years. Unless they have had an update we arent aware of?

The more time goes on the more I worry we'll end up with the exact same deal (or worse) on sky sports and the other names were just to try get sky to pay a little bit more

Yeah, I feel like we have a few names dropped every new contract and then end up with Sky and the same deal or even a worse deal than before.

On a positive note Saints-Catalan got the 3rd highest audience of the season (suspect season opener and good friday the others) this is a rivalry that has come out of nowhere the last few years due to the strength of both teams performances.

Also shows people just want to watch top teams as Catalan of course dont contribute any viewers in the UK directly.

TNT sports don't even have a rugby league section on their website, so not sure how interested they would be in snowing us

Viaplay announced they are pulling out of the UK due to big losses, so thats a new broadcaster needed for the Championship and additonal CC coverage.

Could work well for channel 4, a mix of super league and championship games

So SL have confirmed they are finalising a 3 year deal with SKY that includes all games having a video ref and being able to be screened, and potential for free to air broadcasts (such as Channel4)

But then the bad part, rumour has it the money is a small drop. I assume SKY offered 2 years at same price or 3 at slightly less per year and the game has gone for the stability of a longer term.

A national audience seeing championship games would be embarrassing.

Can’t see any broadcaster wanting to show the champ

Huh? That's an odd thing to say.

Rugby League must be the only sport in this country that has multiple broadcast offers but still ends up with less money.

You do have to wonder what DAZN and TNT sports were offering if Sky won with £20m per season.

Also going by some of the feedback from the RFL it seems like that sky willing to front the production for all games was a major plus for them winning.

From the way I have read the quote it looks like nobody else was willing to front those production costs. That is what I predicted when the DAZN rumors started. I knew they wouldn't be willing to pay for production for every SL game.

I just hope they change the rules regarding the VR before then or we'll have 6 games a weekend ruined by them.

What the game does with these extra recorded games is key, if we can sell lots of streams and sell the rights overseas (some channels just want cheap content as filler) then great, if not we've just taken yet another hit in money.

Personally, I'd be giving Channel 4 the highlights show to complement their coverage of fixtures.

Good shout, the BBC have treated the SL show poorly for decades