Sports Networks Among Those Riding The Poker Wave

On this rather ho-hum newsday, one thing that continues to catch our eye is the remarkable growth of poker as a programming option. ESPN wrapped up its coverage of the World Series of Poker this past Tuesday, and the ratings prove again that this “sport” is resonating among consumers, in particular key male demos. The series’ 22 episodes averaged a 1.7 Nielsen cable rating, up a whopping 42% from last year, capped off by a 2.8 for Tuesday night’s finale. This phenomenon is showing no indication of slowing down, and we’re sure ESPN has high expectations for next week’s “Tournament of Champions,” as well as “Tilt,” an original drama based on the World Series set to launch next year. While other networks such as NBC, Travel Channel, FSN and Bravo have all grabbed a piece of the pie, where programmers decide to take poker next is something for the industry to keep its eye on.