The World Series Of Poker (WSOP) television coverage is shifting from ESPN to CBS. WSOP declared a new multi-year rights contract with CBS Sports on Monday morning, making it their new television partner for several events. The specifics of the multi-year deal were not revealed.
“Having been a trailblazer in reporting a wide array of championship sports, CBS Sports is a valued partner,” expressed WSOP Executive Director Ty Stewart. “We are thrilled at the prospect of expanded TV coverage of the WSOP in the future and look forward to leveraging their expanding media platforms.”
The transition from ESPN to CBS Sports is not merely limited to a shift in the television channels available in most households. In reality, it is a deal struck between CBS and PokerGo. As a result, WSOP coverage will be accessible on a wider range of media platforms, including cable TV, CBS streaming services, and PokerGo’s online platform.
The move from ESPN may seem surprising at first glance, but it’s actually an expansion of an existing online deal, says Dan Weinberg, Executive Vice President of Programming at CBS Sports.
We are thrilled to extend our relationship with Poker Central (PokerGo’s owners), following our previous success with them. Our involvement in the most prestigious and wealthiest event in competitive tournament Poker, featuring the world’s top players, aligns perfectly with our strategy. We aim to meld top-tier events with our CBS Sports brand.
This year, CBS Sports Network will broadcast 15 hours of coverage for the WSOP Main Event. The cable network will also cover an additional 36 hours from 18 gold bracelet events. The WSOP coverage will be accessible on other platforms of ViacomCBS, such as Paramount +.
CBS Sports Network will host the World Series of Poker (WSOP), alongside UNLV and Mountain West Conference sports and the Professional Bull Rider (PBR) tour. Further TV details will be disclosed following the confirmation of WSOP’s tentative plans for the event in Las Vegas later this year.
WSOP turns to an old TV friend
WSOP and CBS have partnered before. In fact, CBS Sports was the inaugural TV network to air the tournament in the U.S. The WSOP Main Event was previously a feature on the CBS Sports Spectacular show during the mid-1970s.
The TV broadcast signifies a reunion with a familiar companion. Speculations are rife that the face-to-face event could also revisit a past acquaintance. There are several links to be made here, so patience is required.
Could WSOP return to another old friend?
The World Series of Poker (WSOP) intends to make a comeback to the Rio All-Suites Casino and Hotel later this year, despite its owner, Caesars, having sold the casino in 2019. Even though Caesars doesn’t own the casino anymore, it still retains a lease to operate it. However, it is yet to announce whether it will decide to prolong this arrangement.
The new proprietors of Rio have unveiled initial plans for property renovations. However, the details about the future operations of the casino are still vague. In the meantime, rumors are circulating that Caesars might rebrand Bally’s Las Vegas as Horseshoe Las Vegas.
Caesars may consider relocating the WSOP next year to the new Horseshoe Las Vegas as a promotional strategy. This could be seen as a sort of reunion with an old partner, as the WSOP was previously held at Binion’s Horseshoe casino in downtown Las Vegas before Caesars bought it and moved it to the Rio.
The possibility of Bally’s Las Vegas’s rebranding has increased since Bally’s Corp. has acquired the Tropicana. Twin River Holdings, now known as Bally’s Corp., bought its name from Caesars last year. This agreement permits Caesars to retain the Bally’s Las Vegas name. Nevertheless, Caesars may opt to sell the hotel-casino name to Bally’s Corp. if it decides to change the name of the iconic Vegas Strip casino-hotel. The agreement will not be finalized until 2022, providing sufficient time for all participating companies to make decisions.
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