IMG close to confirming history making new Super League TV deal

IMG are close to securing a new TV partner for Super League which will also see them cover the Challenge Cup.

Speaking of which, Widnes Vikings last night hosted the draws for Rounds 3 and 4 of the Betfred Challenge Cup – 40 years on from the club’s 19-6 victory over Wigan at Wembley Stadium in 1984.

And the Vikings were rewarded with a home tie against Doncaster and, should they progress, a road trip to either Bradford Bulls or North Wales Crusaders in Round 4.

Widnes are one of 22 semi-professional clubs from the Betfred Championship and League One coming into the competition at Round 3, alongside the 10 community clubs who successfully navigated Rounds 2 at the weekend.

Of the 22, Bradford Bulls (2003) are the most recent Challenge Cup winners and they play League One side North Wales Crusaders. Batley Bulldogs, who won the very first Challenge Cup in 1897, entertain Workington Town, while the club which has won a Wembley final most recently – Halifax Panthers who defeated the Bulldogs in last year’s AB Sundecks 1895 Cup Final – will entertain Whitehaven.

Cumbria’s third professional representatives, Barrow Raiders, are at home to Oldham, and the county’s fourth team – amateurs Wath Brow – travel to fellow National Conference League (NCL) side Stanningley.

With three all-community game ties, at least three community clubs will be in Round 4 – one of them from the Southern Conference League, London rivals Hammersmith Hills Hoists having been drawn at home to Wests Warriors.

Betfred Challenge Cup Round 3 draw (ties to be played over the weekend of 10/11 February)

Sheffield Eagles v Newcastle Thunder
Batley Bulldogs v Workington Town
Bradford Bulls v North Wales Crusaders
Cornwall v York Acorn
Hunslet v Keighley Cougars
Halifax Panthers v Whitehaven
Stanningley v Wath Brow Hornets
Swinton Lions v West Hull
Siddall v Wakefield Trinity
Dewsbury v York Knights
Lock Lane v Hunslet ARLFC
Widnes Vikings v Doncaster
Hammersmith Hills Hoist v Wests Warriors
Rochdale Hornets v Midlands Hurricanes
Barrow Raiders v Oldham
Thatto Heath Crusaders v Featherstone Rovers

Owing to the tight turnaround between rounds three and four, and to aid clubs with their forward planning and preparation, the draw for Round 4 was made immediately after the third round draw. All 32 Round 3 teams went into the hat, with the eight Round 4 ties drawn on an ‘either/or’ basis.

Betfred Challenge Cup Round 4 draw (ties to be played over the weekend of 24/25 February)

Batley Bulldogs or Workington Town v Rochdale Hornets or Midlands Hurricanes
Hunslet or Keighley Cougars v Thatto Heath Crusaders or Featherstone Rovers
Cornwall or York Acorn v Stanningley or Wath Brow Hornets
Bradford Bulls or North Wales Crusaders v Widnes Vikings or Doncaster
Swinton Lions or West Hull v Barrow Raiders or Oldham
Siddall or Wakefield Trinity v Lock Lane or Hunslet ARLFC
Halifax Panthers or Whitehaven v Hammersmith Hills Hoist or Wests Warriors
Dewsbury or York Knights v Sheffield Eagles or Newcastle Thunder

IMG to agree new Super League TV deal

BBC Sport will select one tie from each of the rounds, which will be streamed live on BBC iPlayer, the BBC Sport website and app. Streaming details will be announced as soon as possible.

BBC are set to become the newest broadcasters in Super League as well showing both Super League and the Challenge Cup in 2024 and Serious About Rugby League understands that an announcement is close.

They will show games on Saturday evenings on BBC Two with coverage starting at 17:30. The first game expected to be covered is the Round One clash between Castleford Tigers and Wigan Warriors.

It is also expected that Wigan’s World Club Challenge meeting with Penrith Panthers will be covered.

BBC will maintain exclusive rights to the Challenge Cup Final. The Men’s 2024 Betfred Challenge Cup Final is part of a Finals Day triple-header at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 8 June, alongside the finals of the Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup and AB Sundecks 1895 Cup. Tickets are available online now from only £15 Adults and £7.50 Under 16s, with family packages also available starting from just £18.75 for one Adult and two Under 16s.