League goes digital

These are exciting times for Super League as we head into a new era with the Super 8s which is going to be a huge success.

It’s almost like bringing ‘sudden-death cup drama’ to a league format. The aim is to foster a more intense competition, raising the standards and making rugby league at all levels even stronger.

Here at the Sky Sports we are also looking at fresh ideas and innovations to be able to bring you even more Super League action.

The internet is now part of our daily lives and the rugby league department has been working closely with our digital team to be able to live stream matches straight to your desktop computer or ipad.

For the first time we will be looking at bringing you bespoke coverage of our games online – up to 14 games from the Super 8s and Qualifiers from now until the Grand Final.

It is important that we enhance our service to those rugby league fans who subscribe to Sky Sports and we feel live streaming a selection of games is one way to do this.

Live First Utility Super League

This is a joint initiative between Sky and all the Super League clubs as we work closely together to promote the game and open up potential new revenue streams.

Second screen

Second screening is one of those words that I am hearing more and more as people are no longer satisfied with watching their sport on just their TV. Today they have their smart phones and tablets out as well as they try to glean as much information as they can. The success of the Ashes Events Centre shows the rise of this ‘second screening’.

This Friday we have the Leeds v Warrington game live on Sky Sports 1 HD and while you are watching that you can also watch Cas battle it out with Hull on your iPad. In theory and with a good 4G connection, those fans going to Bradford v Sheffield or Halifax v Widnes, could use their iPads to keep an eye on the action at AJ Bell Stadium where Salford are taking on Wakefield.

It really could not be easier to watch and you certainly don’t have to be a computer whizz to be able to work it out.

Sky Sports subscribers can access this Super League game by heading to www.skysports.com/xtra on your desktop and logging in using your Sky ID and password.

Alternatively, you can also watch the match via the Sky Sports for iPad App - simply log in and navigate to our dedicated Rugby League section.

If you are a Sky Sports subscriber and don't have a Sky ID or require more information on how to get one click here.

Please note Sky Sports Xtra is only available to watch on Desktop via Internet explorer or via our Sky Sports iPad app. Unfortunately at this stage it is not available on a mobile, Mac or Android devices