It was pleasing to see the staggering viewing statistics for last weekend's double header. They make interesting reading.

On Sunday we broadcast live the first Women’s Super League feature match in history to over 36,000 views worldwide, and the Men’s Betfred League One curtain raiser to over 23,000.

This event was played in front of 3,545 supporters at Odsal, which exceeded the aggregate of all other League One fixtures combined during the round, disproving the myth that live streaming has an adverse impact on gates. The coverage appeared across the globe.

In keeping with our commitment to promote the game of rugby league in all competitions we compete in, Bradford Bulls this week requested permission to stream a delayed broadcast of our Ladbrokes Challenge Cup fifth round clash against Warrington Wolves today at 3pm.

Media rights are hugely important to the game of rugby league and the investment of the broadcast rights holders must be protected and respected as a priority. We also understand and respect all clubs right to accept or decline requests to stream live or delayed matches.

While the current broadcast deal allows this, and permission from the RFL was granted, unfortunately our Super League opponents Warrington Wolves have declined permission without further explanation.

We are obviously disappointed with this decision, which will mean the first opportunity those who cannot attend have to watch the match will be 6pm tomorrow, some 24 hours after full-time.

We understand the commercial proposition and pressures of live sport as well as any rugby league club in the current market. As today’s fixture is a shared gate, we are as equally motivated as our opponents to see as many supporters buy tickets and attend in person as possible.

Subsidised bus travel has been provided at a price of only £10 return for our supporters and we have heavily promoted travel and ticket sales for the match.

Current sales indicate over 10 bus loads and an estimated 2,500 supporters will make the trip to Warrington today. We will continue to encourage as many Bradford supporters to attend this enticing knock-out clash as possible.

We are confident that a delayed telecast would not materially alter the gate on the day at all, however we are certain that by not streaming the match, all supporters who have family or work commitments, or who have geographical or financial constraints, will be unable to see the match on the day.

This affects not only Bradford Bulls fans, but also Warrington Wolves fans and the wider rugby league and sport supporters who have an interest in the fixture.

In openly pushing for streaming approval from rival clubs in recent weeks, questions have been raised around Bradford Bulls' motivation.

We have no commitments, contractual or otherwise, to our streaming partner. The streaming of live games through Facebook Live is an exercise we undertake at a cost borne by ourselves and our broadcast partners Proper Sport.

We do this to create new digital rights for the game of rugby league and collate data around the market in terms of reach, and thirst for the service among our supporters and the greater sporting audience.

The games are streamed through the Proper Sport Facebook page, not our own, and we do not lose any advertising revenue when our opponents deny us permission to stream the games.

What we do lose, is an opportunity to make viewing rugby league very simple and very accessible to thousands of viewers.

We are however disappointed when clubs refuse permission for us to provide this service to supporters despite TV rights holders themselves, and the RFL, seeing merit in granting permission to stream.

We will continue the fight to have our great game broadcast to as broad an audience as possible, within the constraints which are the RFL operating guidelines. Only by continuing the debate can we ever imagine changing attitudes and ingrained beliefs.

For now though our focus and attention is firmly on today's 3pm kick-off at Halliwell Jones Stadium. It’s been a while since we played a top Super League side in a Challenge Cup fixture, and I’m definitely looking forward to enjoying the Bulls give it all against the Warrington Wolves.

We know how important our fans are, and we will never take their support for granted. But the presence and support of our legion of fans could well make the difference this weekend. Hope to see you today.

The stampede to Warrington is about to begin.