Rumours out this week suggest two of television’s most popular poker programmes will not be renewed
Tuesday 10th June 2008
According to numerous media reports out this week, America’s Game Show Network (GSN) looks set to stop broadcasting two of its most popular programmes, High Stakes Poker and World Poker Tour.
Both shows are currently nearing the end of their pickup windows and GSN has already axed Lingo, its fourth highest-rated show for adults aged 18 to 49.
'Far as Gabe (Kaplan) and I know, the show isnt coming back,” Alfred ‘AJ’ Benza, one of the hosts of High Stakes Poker, told BodogLife.com.
“Apparently, the Network is going to go in a different direction and that ain’t good news for our show especially since we skew a higher-aged audiuence. Never mind that we’re the Network’s number-one show. Still and all, no one calls us from the Network to say squat.”
But according to GSN any suggestions that the shows have been cancelled are premature with various possibilities still being weighed up including a Father's Day poker marathon.
'The World Poker Tour has been a great partner and the show continues to perform strongly on our Network,' said David Goldhill, President and Chief Executive Officer for GSN.
'We are continuing discussions with World Poker Tour Enterprises regarding how we may be able to work together, including perhaps broadcasting parts of Season VII.'
However, World Poker Tour Enterprises stated that GSN might not get the exclusive rights to World Poker Tour even if it does agree to pick up the series.
'This may allow us the first opportunity to explore diversifying content on multiple networks like most sports leagues,' said Steve Lipscomb, President and Chief Executive Officer for World Poker Tour Enterprises.
'We have already begun those discussions and look forward to making another season of the best and most widely distributed poker programming in the world to our dedicated viewers and fans.'
