Online Poker News » October 2005
» October 14, 2005.
WPT Enterprises To Offer International Broadcasters First Rights To PPT, New Series Featuring The Game's All-Stars.
(Los Angeles, CA) - WPT Enterprises, Inc., the creator of the WORLD POKER TOUR(R) (WPT), will arrive at MIPCOM with a pair of aces. Not only will the company be marketing its worldwide hit series to international broadcasters, but WPTE will unveil its newest venture, the PROFESSIONAL POKER TOURSM (PPT) - a series that capitalizes on the global poker mania, but showcases only the top 250 players in the game. "All pros... all of the time." Bringing to the screen only fan favorites will insure a built-in audience. Players must first qualify for their PPT Card based on a point system that takes into account previous performances, just like on the professional golf tour. Viewers can expect to see such names as Gus Hansen, Carlos Mortensen, Doyle Brunson, Annie Duke, Daniel Negreanu, Chris "Jesus" Ferguson, Bobby Baldwin, Johnny Chan, Phil Hellmuth, Tom McEvoy, Men "The Master" Nguyen, Layne Flack, Phil Ivey, Jennifer Harman, David "Devilfish" Ulliott, Mel Judah, Scotty Nguyen, Erick Lindgren, Phil "The Unabomber" Laak, Huck Seed, Carlos Mortensen, Chris Moneymaker, Chip Reese, Erick Seidel, Lyle Berman, John Juanda, Kathy Liebert, Antonio Esfandiari, Ted Forrest and T.J. Cloutier to name a few.
The game remains the same, but the television shows will be distinctly different from the WPT. The PPT has a different commentating crew, including Mark Seif, who recently won two gold bracelets at the 2005 World Series of Poker. The PPT shows focus not just on the Final Table, but also highlights in the preliminary rounds....more of the famous faces laying it on the line and going "All-In." The tournaments are $500,000 "free-rolls," which means that the PPT puts up the prize money—the players do not have to "buy-in" with their own cash. Viewers will see a different and more muted color palette - including a navy blue felt table. Play is timed, so that each player must make a decision to call, raise or fold within 90 seconds or the hand is called dead. Count on even more exciting drama from the PPT!
"The PPT gives poker fans non-stop action with the biggest names in the game," said Steve Lipscomb, CEO and founder of WPT Enterprises, Inc. "We believe the success we have had selling the WPT into 116 countries and territories is only the tip of the iceberg. The PPT lets us hold a great pair and gives our TV partners a winning hand, too."
The PPT will be offered to the international market in time to debut the new shows in early 2006. There will be 48 hours of programming in the package.
"Here's a chance to get in on the ground floor with a blockbuster new product before it's even debuted in the U.S." said Gary MacKinney, Executive Director of International Sales. "We're looking for TV partners with a vision, who can see how marketing the PPT as an exclusive in their territory will give them poker primacy in their market and drive up revenue."
Source: World Poker Tour, Press Release
Related Poker Articles:
1. Capitvating Courtney Friel Joins World Poker Tour As Host For.. (17/09/2005)
2. Canada and the Philippines are First Regions to Introduce.. (12/09/2005)
3. Jennifer Tilly Wins World Poker Tour LADIES NIGHT III To.. (03/09/2005)
4. World Poker Tour Continues Stratospheric Growth With Record 839.. (30/08/2005)
5. English Harbour Poker players can win a seat to one of the most.. (06/08/2005)
6. WPT BOOT CAMP To Hold First Midwest Poker School At Trump.. (05/08/2005)
