WPT'S TELEVISION TRIBULATIONS AT AN END

25 July 2008

World Poker Tour inks deal with Fox Sports Net


Part of the excitement at the WPT Bellagio Cup IV Final-Table this week was the announcement by World Poker Tour boss Steve Lipscomb that his company has entered into a partnership with Fox Sports Network for the television broadcast of Season 7 of the World Poker Tour.

The agreement gives FSN exclusive rights to air 26 one-hour World Poker Tour episodes in the United States across its network, beamed into millions of American households. The current season of the WPT is airing on GSN, and before that it was on the Travel Channel, but these prior agreements have now been completed.

Shooting on the first two episodes for the new season started at Bellagio Cup IV where Lipscomb made his announcement. The remaining episodes will be filmed at WPT events taking place throughout North America over the next year.

"The World Poker Tour has a track record as the ultimate brand name in televised poker," said George Greenberg, FSN executive vice president of programming and production. "FSN is very happy to televise such quality content and we look forward to future programming opportunities with the WPT."

FSN already broadcasts Major League Baseball, National Hockey League and National Basketball Association events, reaching more than 80 million homes across the United States through FSN's 16 owned and operated regional networks and affiliates.

"FSN and News Corporation are two incredible powerhouses in the television industry that have played key roles in the growth and popularity of televised poker," said Lipscomb. "It couldn't be a better fit for WPT and our fans. We're thrilled."

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