Press Releases

BBC London 94.9 will broadcast a new weekly hour-long London Rugby League programme, throughout the whole of the Super League XIV season.

The station will air the programme every Wednesday throughout the season, after the success of the summer one-hour programmes in 2008.

The first programme is on Wednesday (4 February 2009) from 9.00 to 10.00pm.

"We want to show our commitment to what is a growing sport in London," says BBC London 94.9 Sport Editor Pete Stevens. "It's not just about Harlequins Rugby League and London Skolars, the amateur game is equally – if not more – important."

The interactive programme will review and preview all top level games with Harlequins Rugby League, and discuss issues and stories surrounding the game in London and the south.

It will also discuss the wider issues of Super League, Championship teams and how they may impact on the game developing in London.

BBC London 94.9's rugby league reporter Ian Ramsdale says 2008 saw a great year of progress for London rugby league, and BBC London 94.9 wants to highlight that: "We want to reflect the growth of London rugby league with our dedicated programme running throughout the season.

"The output will be nothing without the contributions of people playing, watching and enjoying the sport in the south, so anyone involved in rugby league in any way and wants to be included in the programme can email London.sport@bbc.co.uk or call the BBC London sports desk on 020 7208 9678."

The programme is available in London on 94.9 FM and outside the region on the BBC London website: bbc.co.uk/london/sport. Between 9.00 and 10.00pm on Wednesdays, listeners can call 020 722 42000 or text 07786 200 949.

Each week's programme will also be available to listen again for seven days on BBC iPlayer.

Notes to Editors

The day of broadcast has changed from a half-hour programme on a Thursday to this new hour-long slot on Wednesdays, 9.00-10.00pm.

SD2