ESPN, WSOP Ink Long-Term Deal; Main Event Coverage Set to Start

The World Series of Poker has been on ESPN for a long time. And it’s going to be on ESPN for a long time to come.

The WSOP and the cable sports network are set to announce a deal that will have the world’s largest series of poker tournaments broadcast on WSOP through 2017.

The current contract lasts through next year. The WSOP has aired on ESPN since 2003.

Ratings for this year’s WSOP coverage, which is still airing, are down from 2008. However, 2008 saw a 15% increase in viewership over 2007. The ratings for last year’s main event final table — the first time the final table was delayed until November for television purposes — were a ratings success for ESPN.

ESPN’s coverage of main event play leading up to the final table starts tonight and will consist of 24 hours of coverage. Two one-hour episodes will air every Thursday until the final table, which starts on Nov. 7 and runs through Nov. 10. The final table coverage airs on Nov. 10.

Here’s the schedule:
Aug. 18, 8:00 PM ET, Main Event Day 1A
Aug. 18, 9:00 PM ET, Main Event Day 1A
Aug. 25, 8:00 PM ET, Main Event Day 1B
Aug. 25, 9:00 PM ET, Main Event Day 1B
Sept. 1, 8:00 PM ET, Main Event Day 1C
Sept. 1, 9:00 PM ET, Main Event Day 1C
Sept. 8, 8:00 PM ET, Main Event Day 1D
Sept. 8, 9:00 PM ET, Main Event Day 1D
Sept. 15, 8:00 PM ET, Main Event Day 2A
Sept. 15, 9:00 PM ET, Main Event Day 2A
Sept. 22, 8:00 PM ET, Main Event Day 2B
Sept. 22, 9:00 PM ET, Main Event Day 2B
Sept. 29, 8:00 PM ET, Main Event Day 3
Sept. 29, 9:00 PM ET, Main Event Day 3
Oct. 6, 8:00 PM ET, Main Event Day 4
Oct. 6, 9:00 PM ET, Main Event Day 4
Oct. 13, 9:00 PM ET, Main Event Day 5
Oct. 13, 10:00 PM ET, Main Event Day 5
Oct. 20, 9:00 PM ET, Main Event Day 6
Oct. 20, 10:00 PM ET, Main Event Day 6
Oct. 27, 9:00 PM ET, Main Event Day 7
Oct. 27, 10:00 PM ET, Main Event Day 7
Nov. 3, 9:00 PM ET, Main Event Day 8
Nov. 3, 10:00 PM ET, Main Event Day 8
Nov. 10, 9-11:00 PM ET, Main Event Final Table