Chief executive Paul Barber has welcomed Albion’s rampant TV exposure.

The promotion-pushing Seagulls have been selected 17 times this season by Sky for live coverage after the last home game against Bristol City on April 29 was picked.

That match now starts at 5.30pm instead of 3pm and the figure could rise to 18 if their final game away to Aston Villa is also chosen.

Barber told The Argus: “I can remember vividly when I came here five years ago, at fans’ forums one of the biggest single complaints was that we were never on TV and how could we get more games?

“I’ve still got a stack of e-mails I could go back to from supporters saying we should be making representations to the Football League with the new stadium, back in the Championship, because we weren’t getting enough coverage.

The Argus:

Paul Barber

“I understand the complaints now that we are on TV too much and there is far too much disruption, but that is the nature of football nowadays.

“It’s also about the exposure it gives us for sponsors, the ability of Albion fans to watch games that cannot get to games, interest in the club from other sections of the media.

“All of a sudden the club has been catapulted to a different level. If you look at our live TV compared to the Premier League clubs, we are in a very strong position as well. Only the top six or seven have probably had more games than us.”

The Football League agreement with Sky this season includes announcements five weeks in advance, reducing the risk of fans being left out of pocket with tickets for matches and travel they can no longer use.

Barber, a former board member of Tottenham, said: “At Spurs we would be delighted if we got 15 or 16 games a year.

“It’s a big shift and it does cause disruption for some fans, but we get as many people telling us they are glad a game has been moved because they can now get to it.”