SMALL-SCREEN stars Burnley will launch ITV Sport's new televison deal when they kick off their season in front of the live cameras.

The Clarets opening game of the season at Sheffield Wednesday has been put back a day to Sunday, August 12 with a 6.15pm kick-off.

And the Hillsborough clash will be the first Division One fixture to be shown live since new channel ITV Sport, formely OnDigital, won the contract for Nationwide League action.

Last season, Burnley pulled in the largest Sky audience for a Nationwide fixture when almost one-million viewers tuned in to watch the pre-Christmas East Lancashire derby against Blackburn Rovers at Turf Moor.

And ITV Sport are looking to get their coverage off to a flying start by featuring the game between two of the First Division's biggest and best supported clubs.

"Let's hope we do the same thing again this time, although results are more important than audiences," said Burnley's assistant boss Sam Ellis.

In a move to maximise its exposure, ITV Sport will also screen League games in mid-week, taking in Mondays when there are no Premiership games and alsoThursday nights to give an almost constant footballing diet through the season.

"They are moving kick-off times so it's something we will have to get used to," added Ellis.

The new television deal is set to earn First Division clubs around £3 million, while Burnley will pick up a five-figure sum on top of that for each time they are shown live.

Meanwhile, former Clarets winger Paul Smith is poised to join Scottish Premier League side Kilmarnock.

Smith wasn't offered a new deal by Burnley at the end of last season but there has been no shortage of takers for the 24-year-old.

And according to sources north of the border Smith has been snapped up by the Rugby Park club, which, as well taking him into the Scottish top-flight, will also earn him his first taste of European football.

Killie have qualifed for the UEFA Cup and will open their campaign against Northern Irish side Glenavon.

There is still no news on the incoming front, but Bradford City midfielder Stuart McCall has agreed a new one-year deal at Valley Parade to end any prospect of a move to Burnley.

City chairman Geoffrey Richmond confirmed: "I am delighted that this has been brought to a successful conclusion. It was unthinkable that Stuart would finish his playing career with anybody other than Bradford City.

"We now hope that what is likely to be Stuart's final year at this level will finish with an emotional return back to the Premier League."

Former Burnley target John Aloisi has also put pen to paper on a new deal, joining Spanish side Osasuna from Coventry City for £1.2 million, while midfielder Darren Caskey, linked in some quarters with a Clarets move, has completed his switch from Reading to Notts County.