WPT To Be Broadcast On Fox

WPT Enterprises Incorporated has announced an agreement that gives Rupert Murdoch's Fox Sports Network (FSN) the exclusive broadcast rights to Season VII of the World Poker Tour (WPT) television series.

Los Angeles-based FSN is owned by News Corporation and is a leading provider of sports programming. The agreement sees it have the rights to broadcast 26 WPT episodes in the United States across its national sports cable network.

‘The World Poker Tour has a track record as the ultimate brand name in televised poker,’ said George Greenberg, Executive Vice-President of Programming and Production for FSN.

‘FSN is very happy to televise such quality content and we look forward to future programming opportunities with WPT.’

WPT Enterprises films its tournaments in premiere properties around North America and revealed that it would be creating the one-hour episodes from upcoming regular-season events. It shot the first two yesterday at the Bellagio Cup final table in Las Vegas.

"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 Steve Lipscomb, President and Chief Executive Officer for WPT Enterprises.

"It couldn't be a better fit for WPT and our fans. We're thrilled."

WPT joins the ranks of Major League Baseball, the National Basketball Association and the National Hockey League on the FSN network, which serves as the television home to nearly two-thirds of all teams based in the United States. FSN's 16 owned-and-operated regional networks reach more than 80 million homes across the US with the broadcaster revealing that the WPT's timeslot and schedule is to be announced at a later date.