Sky Television have finally woken up to the fact that Albion's fight against the odds in the Coca-Cola Championship deserves a wider audience.

A special Argus investigation reveals the Seagulls have been one of the biggest losers in Sky's live coverage of Championship matches so far this season.

Screening the return to Withdean next month of former manager Steve Coppell and his promotion contenders Reading helps redress the balance, but cash-strapped Albion have still missed out on much-needed revenue in comparison to the majority of their rivals.

Live coverage on Sky commands a £60,000 fee for the home team, £10,000 to the away side.

Albion's lone live appearance to date was at Leicester at the end of August.

Only Plymouth have fared worse. The solitary TV appearance for last season's Second Division champions was at Cardiff in mid-August.

Wolves come next. They have featured just once since their trip to Stoke on the first weekend of the season, away to Nottingham Forest in October.

That changes tomorrow night when the Sky cameras are at Molineux for the clash against Sunderland.

Sheffield United have been on four times, all away from home, although the BBC picked their FA Cup tie against Aston Villa at Bramall Lane.

Derby, Albion's opponents at Withdean on Saturday, have pocketed £100,000 from one home match and four away, but the real winners are Ipswich, Leeds and West Ham.

Ipswich's trip to Preston later this month will be their sixth live appearance on Sky, three at home and three away, landing Joe Royle's title-chasers £210,000.

Leeds have enjoyed a £200,000 windfall, but West Ham will top the table when they entertain Leicester next month.

That will be the fourth game shown from Upton Park, increasing the Hammers' TV total to £250,000.

Reading's visit to Albion will raise their cash bonanza to £200,000. Matches at the Madejski Stadium featured three times in the space of 17 days over the Christmas and New Year period.

The Seagulls will be hoping the return of the cameras to Sky on Monday, March 21, represents not just much-needed money but a lucky omen as well.

They won 3-1 when the same fixture was screened by the satellite giants on a Monday evening in February 2002.