NBC is bringing back poker in its programming for 2018. NBC Sports Group is planning to incorporate Poker Central programming for US broadcast of NBC SN. It is going to be available in both digital and linear platforms for the entire year.
Another good news for poker fans is that NBC and Poker Central are going to run their partnership until 2020.
Just how big has poker become in the US? Last year, NBC was able to broadcast the 2017 Super High Roller and the 2017 Poker Masters. For this year, the network is coming back bigger featuring the 2018 Super High Roller Bowl, US Poker Open, and Poker Masters Tournaments.
According to JR McCabe, the chief digital officer of Poker Central, he mentioned that “we are pleased to continue growing our partnership with NBCSN to bring our expansive slate of poker programming both new and existing audiences alike”. He also mentioned that “this year, poker fans will have even more ways to watch some of the world’s biggest poker tournaments”.
Available on Different Devices
The audience isn’t just limited to watch the games on their television. Given the rise of mobile devices, NBC Sports Group will live stream on desktop, mobile devices such as tablets, and smartphones as well aside from connected television. The schedule for the events will be announced later this year.
“After the success of last year’s Super High Roller Bowl, we are further broadening our poker content by adding more tournaments to our slate” according to Gary Quinn, the vice president on the programming of NBC Sports Group.
He also mentioned that viewers will be able to enjoy the competitive nature of Poker Central tournaments with this deal.
888Poker Partnership for 2018
Poker Central has also partnered with 888Poker. 888poker is going to sponsor the 2018 Super High Roller Bowl, not to mention host Poker Central’s events for the rest of 2018 and 2019, as well.
Under their agreement, 888poker will be the exclusive in-show sponsor in the real money online poker category. As for the Super High Roller Bowl 2018, 888poker will be a principal sponsor. And exposure for 888poker doesn’t end here. In fact, they will also be featured in several broadcast events such as Poker After Dark, US Poker Open, ARIA High Roller Series, and Poker Masters.
The Vice President of content at Poker Central, San Simmons mentioned that “This is our third consecutive year partnering with 888poker, and we couldn’t be more pleased to have them on board for our growing slate of prestigious events. Together, we’re looking forward to further growing the sport by offering more tournaments that poker fans and professionals alike will enjoy”.
888poker is also going to provide packages to players joining Poker Central’s events. Last year, it was Christoph Vogelsang who won $6 million in their event.
Things are looking exciting for Poker Central for this year. We can expect a wider audience for this year given the partnerships that Poker Central has made with both 888poker and NBC. This simply shows the growing interest of people when it comes to poker.
