New TV deal for rugby league

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After a highly successful season that saw a record average attendance in the top flight, the game's governing body has announced that it has agreed renewals with broadcasters BBC and Sky that will ensure that both the Super League and the Carnegie Challenge Cup will continue to be broadcast live until 2011.

The deal is also good news for the Co-operative National Leagues, whose members are set to benefit more than ever before, while at the grass roots level of the game, community clubs will also be looked after with Sky offering them discounts on subscriptions as well as other benefits.

"The negotiations have resulted in a healthy revenue increase, thus giving us a great platform to continue our successful growth and future development," commented the RFL's executive chairman Richard Lewis.

"The contracts also ensure club stability and create the opportunity to invest in the Co-operative National Leagues and the community game. The outcome clearly demonstrates that Rugby League is a highly prized and valuable broadcast property which is followed by millions of viewers on a regular basis."

Clubs have until the end of January to submit their application for a Super League license and the RFL are set to decide on the new make-up of the game in the summer.

It is expected that the RFL will rubber-stamp a move to increase the size of the Super League, with the new funding only serving to improve the chances of that happening.

The sport's chief executive Nigel Wood recently said he expected 18 applications with the likes of Salford, Toulouse, Widnes and the ambitious Celtic Crusaders joining the existing 12 Super League clubs.

Sky, who have covered the Super League since its 1996 inception, will cover up to 70 games live under the new agreement, including the Super League, the National Leagues, the World Club Challenge and England's home internationals.

The BBC retain their stranglehold on the Challenge Cup, whilst also gaining the rights to international rugby league and keeping their highlights of the Super League.