YORK City Knights have welcomed the chance to play live on television - although there are downsides.

The Knights' Co-operative National League Two match away to Barrow at Easter will now be televised by Sky Sports as part of the broadcaster's increased commitment to cover rugby league at National League level.

It thus increases the club's profile, is attractive to shirt sponsors, and means more supporters will see the match live.

However, it also means the fixture will be changed from the Bank Holiday Monday to the Tuesday evening, March 25. This makes it harder for York fans to get to the game, and it also means the players, all of whom are part-time, will have to take a day off work. It also means they have less time to recover for the game at title favourites Oldham the following weekend.

The Knights receive no cash for being on TV.

Barrow will be given financial help to promote the game and encourage a big crowd into Craven Park that night.

Knights chairman Roger Dixon focused on the positives.

"It's not perfect, but it's a foothold into TV for National Leagues One and Two," he said. "It's not been an easy negotiation for the Rugby Football League and we don't want to be unmindful of their efforts.

"The change in dates has implications for those who had an intention to go to the game or even make a weekend of it in the Lakes, but one is in the hands of the television company.

"The RFL are trying to promote the sport and get wider coverage for it regionally and nationally, and this opportunity to show National League rugby on Sky has to be a positive, although that does mean one has to fit in with their scheduling."

Sky will broadcast 27 National League and Northern Rail Cup games this year, a significant increase on last season. Barrow v York is one of only two NL2 games so far scheduled, the other being Oldham v Doncaster in July.

"Being a passionate believer in the National League, I think anything that gets the National League into the public domain is good. It has to be positive," added Dixon.

"I think it's good for the profile of rugby league and for the profile of the Knights. And it's also an opportunity for our sponsors to be seen by a wider audience. It helps give a broader canvas to those who have kindly sponsored the club."

The Knights have been on Sky once before, when they lost the thrilling 2004 National League Two Grand Final after a controversial decision by the video referee helped Halifax to fight back and win 34-30. Video refs play no part in National League regular season matches. Dixon joked: "The last time we were live on TV was that Grand Final - at least this time we shan't be troubled by a video ref."