WPT coming to FOX Sports.

[johnny]

World Poker Tour Moves to Fox Sports Net | Poker News

PokerNews has learned that World Poker Tour Enterprises and FOX Sports Net will soon announce an agreement that will bring Season VII of the long-running series to FSN on Sunday nights.

According to sources close to the deal, the WPT's Season VII will consist of 26 episodes and will air each Sunday evening, somewhere in the "prime time" (6-10 pm) hours for starting time. Each episode will be one hour long. The initial starting date and the exact starting time for the series' run are among the details still be ironed out as the show is fit into the FSN broadcast schedule. The sources did report, however, that longtime hosts Mike Sexton and Vince Van Patten will return to their roles behind the microphone. The first two episodes will cover the Bellagio Cup in Las Vegas, the final table of which is being contested today.


Excepting a one-shot show on NBC, the new deal with FSN represents the third major broadcast home for the WPT over its long life. The WPT became a surprise ratings hit after debuting on Travel Channel in 2003, quickly becoming a must-view for poker fans searching for fresh poker content apart from repeated WSOP episodes. The WPT's quick success -- featuring a stylized studio atmosphere, the friendly repartee and expert knowledge of Sexton and Van Patten, and the easygoing and beautiful camera presence of original hostess Shana Hiatt -- gave the program a distinctive feel and allowed it to capture a diehard audience.

The WPT's success, however, drew other imitators, each eager to grab a slice of the pie that was poker's newfound popularity. Meanwhile, the WPT's original formulaic approach, while still stylish, also meant a struggle for the tour to find new ways to grow its TV audience. WPT's ratings on Travel Channel peaked in 2004, then began to slide slowly downward, and after five seasons the relationship between show and network ended. The WPT moved on to Game Show Network for Season Six, but despite strong ratings, a change of direction within GSN led to the WPT not continuing there for its seventh overall season. This led to WPTE exploring other broadcast opportunities, with FSN being one of the most logical possible homes.

FSN's long history with poker dates back to the "Poker Superstars Invitational" series and includes many other programs. An incomplete list of other FSN poker offerings includes "Poker Challenge," "Learn from the Pros," "MansionPoker Poker Dome Challenge," "Calvin Ayre Wild Card Poker" and "Best Damn Poker Show" among many others. The landing for the WPT at FOX Sports, however, represents the highest-powered poker brand name the network has been able to offer to date.

According to Steve Lipscomb, WPT Founder, President and CEO, "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. It couldn't be a better fit for WPT and our fans. We're thrilled."

Sweeet, I'll be able to watch it again.

[Terminal]

Cool, I get FSN.

[Mirage]

Nice! I had heard the WPT was having trouble finding a home on TV, but it looks like they really came out ahead. LOL donkaments!

[bigloser2448]

BigL Loves the WPT, sweeeet.

[Snickers99]

One hour episodes? Does that mean each tournament would be spread out over two weeks? I guess so based on the comment about the first two episodes. Not sure if I like waiting a week to see who wins.

[bigloser2448]

I DVR all the poker stuff and don't usually get to watch it until much later anyway. It's not like it's "live" anyway, right?

[Ugignadl]

Right.

[thebatsman]

Originally Posted by Snickers99

One hour episodes? Does that mean each tournament would be spread out over two weeks? I guess so based on the comment about the first two episodes. Not sure if I like waiting a week to see who wins.

This is what GSN does now.

Its a lot better than trying to cram 54 all ins in one week.

[ythelongface]

good to hear! foxsports has been doin their hokey little tourney for a couple years or so, but the wpt would be so much better. i was beginning to wonder if they were gonna find a home or not. you would think that it would be a hot show if they just get over the hostess revolving door. that does get old.