Despite the failure of ITV's early evening Premiership football programme, any sense of triumph has been shortlived as far as the BBC and other TV sports companies are concerned. Because what this has proved, is that while football is the nation's national sport and favourite game, boasting perhaps now the best league in the world, it was unable to even come close to giving the likes of Cilla Black and Blind Date a run for the money on the ratings front.

No doubt those in charge of our national game will attempt to limit the damage, but while there will always be very healthy viewing figures for live football matches it is obviously not the case for recorded highlights. Even the most avid of football fans would often be getting ready to go out or even still be travelling back from a game, so while it was a brave move by ITV to attempt a groundbreaking idea, the fact that the viewing figures were so much better for the late night football repeat show leaves us with a score of Cilla-1, Des-0.

Sticking with TV sport, yes I am biased and also know that Sky's coverage of football is not everybody's cup of tea, but BSkyB continue to lead the way with innovative ideas to add to the TV fans' enjoyment and a chance to get even more out of televised football. The reason is, the launch of Sky Play, the latest addition to interactive services in the TV coverage of sport. This new idea is already causing quite a stir, at least among some football fans. Sky Play is the world's first play-along football prediction competition and it lasts for the duration of the full ninety minutes.

Not everyone has been that enamoured with some of the other interative features such as player-cam, but this new Sky Play option really does sound as if it could be both interesting and enjoyable. Basically, it gives the all-knowing watching armchair fan the chance to really see how well he can read the game. The competition offers a range of pre-match predictions such as time of the first goal, the player they feel will score, or who will be booked or sent off first. Additional pop-up predictions are also on offer throughout the match and these include the outcome of a free kick or penalty, and viewers can also predict how they think any team's attacking play will end in a near miss or a goal. For each guess the viewer gets right, points are awarded and your final score is submitted into your digibox, and the viewer with the most points wins a cash prize of up £3,000. It costs just £1.50 to play the game and those who have already played Sky Play insist that it is very exciting and not complicated to play, and using the remote control is very simple.

There are already plans to include more than one handset per household, so you can all get together with your family or mates, and no doubt the odd small wager can make the game even more interesting. Sky also feel it will be a big selling point for games which tradionally don't attract the viewing figures for say a Man Utd v Livepool match as whichever team you support, you now have the option of being much more involved in any televised game. Of course, no doubt it will be a long time before we see Carlisle Utd on Sky Play but I look forward to the day it happens, and for sure if we are awarded a penalty kick, I'll be backing Super Richie Foran to find the back of the net.

Email Mick @ mick.mitchell@bskyb.com