AT A time when the Nationwide League has been left reeling following the collapse of ITV Digital, thank goodness for Sky.

While many may believe otherwise, Sky's involvement in football has turned the game into a massive business and is one of the major reasons behind the sport's huge popularity rise.

It is true that the broadcaster's involvement has allowed the top Premiership sides to get richer, while the also-rans have paid the price on the money front just trying to keep up with the rest.

And there are those who have taken the stance that television rights have ruined the beautiful game - take Burnley as the perfect and most recent example.

The Clarets have banned ITV cameras from Turf Moor on match days after losing nearly £5m from the collapse of ITV Digital. And it is likely that more clubs in the Nationwide League will follow suit.

Burnley have acted following the Football League's failure to win their case which would have seen them recoup £178m from Carlton and Granada, the digital channel's parent companies.

Sky have now bought the rights to screen lower league matches every week, but it is the highlights on terrestrial channels that is causing concern.

Burnley marketing manager Edoardo Abis is urging more teams to join in his protest. He said: "Due to the distress Carlton and Granada have caused us, we have taken the decision to ban them from entering Turf Moor.

"If they can come to some agreement with the Football League we would reconsider our stance.

"If all the clubs in the Nationwide League do the same then Granada and Carlton would have no programme to offer. Maybe then they would start to realise what they have done."

But regardless of the outcome with ITV, Sky Sports' coverage of the top-flight over the past decade has been superb.

There will be those who disagree, but it is difficult to see how. Number one commentator Martin Tyler is the best in the business and no summariser on the little screen is better than Andy Gray. On Sunday, Sky Sports kick-off their Premiership season with the live screening of new-boys Birmingham at champions Arsenal.

But North-East fans do not have to wait long before seeing one of the region's teams in action. On Monday, Newcastle's opener at home to West Ham is being screened.

Sky are yet to announce live games after January 1, 2003, but - for the first half of the season anyway - Middlesbrough fans can only watch their side four times over the next five months.

Sunderland have been given six television appearances, while Newcastle will be appearing on nine occasions.

The Tyne-Wear and Tyne-Tees derbies will be shown live on September 22 and November 4 respectively - both will be at St. James' Park.

On top of that, highlights of all the Big Three's matches will be shown throughout the season on ITV in 'The Premiership'.

Fans of Hartlepool United and Darlington, meanwhile, will not be as fortunate - but there is a slim chance they could appear on Sky. Neither side are scheduled to appear before the New Year and a lot will depend on the positions held in the League by both outfits.

A spokesman for Sky confirmed: "Over the course of the season we are showing ten Second and Third Division games combined.

"So far we have confirmed two and we will decide on the rest when we have seen how the season is developing."