Bradford Bulls still await deal as RFL insist one is coming

The Championship, League 1 and 1895 Cup launch took place at Wakefield Trinity's Belle Vue Stadium yesterday afternoon, and with several high-ranking RFL figures in attendance, as well as players and coaches from the two divisions, there was some hope an announcement would be made.

Viaplay Sports have pulled out of rugby league broadcasting for 2024, meaning there is space there for any broadcasting company wanting to showcase the highly-competitive and entertaining second tier.

Super League have deals with the big-hitting BBC and Sky Sports, while the Challenge Cup and League 1 getting shown on The Sportsman.

There is every chance at least one League 1 game between title favourites Oldham and Cougars will be shown on The Sportsman. (Image: JT Sports Media.)

But there is nothing in place for the 1895 Cup, but more worryingly the Championship, a fairly remarkable state of affairs given Bulls' marquee clash at Wakefield kicks off the second tier season in less than eight weeks' time.

But there was some good news delivered by Rhodri Jones, the managing director of Rugby League Commercial, at the Belle Vue event yesterday, even if he was a little coy.

He told the assembled players, coaches and journalists: "We're in dialogue with broadcasters.

"Our League exists as a membership platform, and that Sportsman deal is already secured for League 1.

"Ultimately, there will be an opportunity for fans to see Championship action, but there's nothing to announce today."

Expanding on the Our League situation, the RFL's head of media Andy Wilson told the T&A: "Obviously Our League has done bits with the Challenge Cup and League 1 in the past.

"It's also shown plenty of National Conference League action of late.

"As Rhodri says, it still exists as a membership platform, so options are there, but there's a good chance we'll look to use Our League to shine a spotlight on the community game going forward."