ESPN returns as broadcaster of the World Series of Poker
A 20 day delay and a multi year deal for ESPN and the WSOP, as casual poker fans once again have access to the Main Event.
At a time when poker in the US really needed a shot in the arm, the WSOP has announced that ESPN is returning as a broadcast partner.
In a multi-year deal, the sports channel will broadcast the Main Event, with a three-night prime-time finale on live TV.
There will be at least six days of broadcast every day from July 2, with 100 hours of programming in total.
On July 13, the play will pause at the final table, and the surviving players will take a 20-day break before returning for three days of final table action from August 3. During this break, ESPN will air prime-time edited episodes of the build-up, to create momentum and make stars of the final table.
No more paywalls
While there is no doubt that the PokerGO broadcasts of the Main Event were world class in their execution, they have always been behind a paywall, and only poker fans had access.
With ESPN on board, once again the casual viewer gets to see the Main Event in all its glory, which will hopefully attract new players to the game.
This is something poker fans have hoped would happen ever since GGPoker acquired the World Series of Poker. With their sizable budget and growth mindset, it seemed like making the WSOP mainstream again had to happen.
It was already confirmed that most of the WSOP will be broadcast for free on YouTube, and it was speculated that the Main Event had found a new broadcaster when it was revealed that there was a final table delay. The delay, no doubt, was to avoid clashing with the World Cup, which would be a huge error for a sports channel.
“The World Series of Poker is a global phenomenon that transcends the gaming category, and our goal is to bring it to the widest possible audience,” said Ty Stewart, CEO of the WSOP. “Returning to ESPN - the home of our most iconic moments since 1987 - allows us to showcase the human drama of the Main Event like never before. With our new ownership’s commitment to growth, this is the perfect time to bring the 'World Championship' back to the biggest stage in sports.”
“We’re proud to welcome the World Series of Poker back to ESPN,” said Ashley O’Connor, Vice President, Programming & Acquisitions at ESPN. “Poker is filled with unexpected storylines, and nobody is better equipped to showcase the stories that unfold throughout a tournament more than ESPN. Bringing the WSOP back reflects our continued commitment to delivering premium competition and that connects with fans in new and exciting ways.”
