World Series of Poker (WSOP) Leaving ESPN for CBS Sports
April 19, 2024 Chad Holloway
Executive Editor U.S.
The World Series of 5️⃣ Poker (WSOP) has found a new home on the
airwaves!
The WSOP, which for decades has appeared on ESPN, has struck 5️⃣ a multi-year
rights agreement with CBS Sports, which will become their new domestic television
partner for airing “The Main Event” 5️⃣ and other “Bracelet Events.” This year's live WSOP
will take place at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino from September 5️⃣ 30-November 23.
The
deal is in effect for 2024 with 15 hours of Main Event coverage planned as well as 36
5️⃣ hours from 18 additional bracelet events. Coverage details will be announced in the
coming months once the WSOP schedule becomes 5️⃣ official. It’s expected that WSOP coverage
will appear on other Viacom CBS platforms, including the subscription-based Paramount
+, formerly known 5️⃣ as CBS All Access.
Related: WSOP Online Bracelet Schedule: 33
Bracelets in 32 Days, Starting July 1
Partnership Could Lead to "Increased 5️⃣ Television
Coverage"
While most fans know ESPN as the home of the WSOP on TV, CBS Sports was
actually its original 5️⃣ broadcast partner as the WSOP Main Event was featured on CBS
Sports Spectacular back in the mid-1970s.
“CBS Sports has long 5️⃣ been a pioneer in
covering a broad range of championship sports,” said Ty Stewart, WSOP Executive
Director. “We couldn’t be 5️⃣ more excited to see increased television coverage of the WSOP
in the coming years and benefit from their growing media 5️⃣ platforms.”
Dan Weinberg,
Executive Vice President of Programming, CBS Sports, added: “Following our past success
with Poker Central, we are excited 5️⃣ to expand our relationship with the highest-profile
and richest event in competitive tournament Poker featuring the best players in the
5️⃣ world. This deal fits perfectly in our strategy to combine best-in-class events with
our CBS Sports brand.”
The deal comes nearly 5️⃣ two years after PokerGO and CBS joined
forces to live stream gold bracelet events from the 50th Annual WSOP. Fans 5️⃣ might recall
that some events streamed on PokerGO in 2024, while others aired on CBS All Access, CBS
Sports Network, 5️⃣ and CBS Sports Digital platforms. That year, Lon McEachern, Ali Nejad,
and David Tuchman provided most of the color commentary.
There’s 5️⃣ no word on what the
latest deal might mean for the future of WSOP commentary, which was shaken up a 5️⃣ little
last year when Jamie Kerstetter filled in for an apparently COVID-stricken Norman Chad
on episodes of the 2024 WSOP 5️⃣ Main Event.
Sharelines The WSOP is leaving ESPN as they
have struck a new multi-year rights agreement with CBS Sports.
