Seems to have gone a bit under the radar but I noticed over the weekend that Super League matches are being simulcast on Sky Sports' free channel Sky Sports Mix. I've checked the schedules and by the look of it the vast majority of games being shown will be available for free (to Sky and Virgin customers) until the start of March.

Part of me wonders if this is what we've come to; being shown on a channel that regularly features Netball and Drone Racing. Will this have a negative effect on how the game is perceived? However the optimist in me thinks that showcasing the game to a new audience of more casual sports fans can only be a good thing.

I'm sure that some people will quite rightly have a moan at Sky for giving away something that they've already had to pay for but I'm hopeful the "heroin dealer" approach of giving the first hit away for free might bring some new eyes to the game who'll like what they see and stay with it.