Epic Poker League To Be Broadcast On CBS and Discovery Networks

Today we heard news that the eagerly anticipated EPL is going to be broadcast on the CBS and Discovery Networks. The four-tournament series culminates in a $1million championship to determine the best all around tournament player on the planet.

Poker players and fans in the United States haven't had much to cheer about lately, so we're glad to bring them a little good news at last.

The Epic Poker League is set to kick off next week at the Palms Casino in Las Vegas and Federated Sports + Gaming today announced that 20 hours of original EPL programming are to be broadcast on the CBS Television Network and Discovery Communications Velocity Network. 

The EPL is the brain child of Jeffrey Pollack and professional poker player Annie Duke (pictured right), and will feature four $20,000 buy-in rake-free No Limit Hold'em events, each with $400,000 in added prize money.

Players will only be able to enter these events based on strict selection criteria and there will be a $1 million Epic Poker championship event for the top 27 performing players over the four events. For more information on how the EPL is structured including qualification crtieria visit the FS+G website.

"Great exposure for poker players"

Jeffrey Pollack, Executive Chairman of the EPL and its parent company Federated Sports + Gaming spoke of his anticipation of working alongside CBS and Discovery Communications, noting "both companies share our commitment to providing a world-class stage and significant new exposure for poker's most talented live tournament players".

The EPL will see new faces in the poker commentary booth, with renowned sports anchor Pat O'Brien and poker personality Ali Nejad hosting the shows. The shows will be produced by Emmy award-winning David Neal and 441 Productions, who also produced coverage from the World Series of Poker from 2003-2010.

Pollack predicts big things from the EPL shows. In an interview with PokerNews he talks about "bringing a fresh perspective to some very proven experience" which should "result in a very compelling poker program".

CBS will air seven hours of EPL programming and Velocity by Discovery will air 13 additional original hours along with re-airs of each CBS episode. Specific airdates and times will be announced later this summer.