Bradford Bulls CEO Jason Hirst has given the T&A an exclusive statement on why the club have turned down the current broadcast deal proposed for the Betfred Championship.

For the last three seasons, the second tier of English rugby league has had televised matches on Premier Sports and Viaplay Sports.

The latter pulled out of their coverage of the sport at the end of 2023, and for a long time, there were no apparent takers when it came to showing Championship coverage for 2024 and beyond.

Premier Sports stepped in earlier this month, offering a deal worth £225,000 over three years for second-tier clubs to mull over.

Thirteen of the 14 met up in Wakefield last week to have their say on the proposals, with only Whitehaven not sending a representative and therefore recorded as abstaining.

Bulls were represented by chairman Nigel Wood, and their vote was against the proposal,  the same as Batley, Dewsbury, Doncaster, Featherstone, Wakefield and Widnes.

Conversely, Swinton, Halifax, York, Barrow, Sheffield and Toulouse were all happy to accept the Premier Sports deal as it stands.

While the Rugby Football League board will have the final say on whether a deal goes through or not, they will likely be led by the thoughts of the Championship's member clubs, so the current split is less than ideal for them.

Bulls had not spoken publicly until now about their reasons for turning down the initial proposal from Premier Sports.

But Hirst today told the T&A: "TV coverage of the Championship is a matter for Rugby League Commercial to determine.

"As part of the that process, the clubs were consulted and asked for feedback on a possible agreement covering the next three years.

"The Bulls, in common with a number of other of the better supported clubs, didn’t feel able to support the proposal in the current guise.

"Obviously, each club has its own position on the subject, which they are at liberty to explain should they so wish.

"Our club does, however,  believe that Championship Rugby League is a great product and worthy of the right broadcast solution.

"We would be very happy to participate if a different proposition was tabled."