Poker Central and CBS Announce Streaming Partnership for WSOP
Poker Central and CBS have announced a new content partnership that will see live streams and highlight shows from the 50th annual World Series of Poker bracelet events extend across both PokerGO as well as CBS’ network of online and broadcast channels.
Select events throughout the entire WSOP, taking place from May 30-July 16, will be featured on multiple platforms including PokerGO, CBS All Access, CBS’ own subscription video and live streaming service, as well as on CBS Sports Network and CBS Sports Digital platforms.
“The World Series of Poker, which is the pinnacle of the game, will be a fantastic addition to our digital and cable channels,” said Dan Weinberg, Executive Vice President of Programming for CBS Sports. “We’re very pleased to bring this engaging content to poker fans across platforms.”
According to Poker Central, the details of the deal includes Poker Central producing 41 days of live coverage, 25 of which will stream exclusively on CBS All Access. Eight of those days will air exclusively on PokerGO and an additional eight days that will able to be seen on both.
In addition to the live stream, CBS Sports Network will also air highlight shows taken from the bracelet events that are exclusive to CBS All Access. Those highlight shows will also be available across portions of the CBS content network including CBSSports.com, the CBS Sports app, and CBS Sports HQ.
“The reach and position of CBS across digital and cable platforms make this the perfect partnership for reaching devoted fans and new audiences,” said Sam Simmons, President of Poker Central. “This summer’s WSOP bracelet event coverage will further our ongoing strategy of expanding distribution of the most exciting live poker events.”
The streaming content will be hosted by a trio of well-known poker commentators including WSOP’s own Lon McEachern, Ali Nejad, and long-time WSOP stream host David Tuchman.
Both PokerGO and CBS All Access require a subscription to watch their content. PokerGO, which specializes in exclusive poker content, is $10 per month or a yearly subscription of $99. CBS All Access, which provides original programming and access to the network’s general show library, has multiple pricing tiers that include $5.99 per month with commercials, $9.99 per month commercial free and a yearly plan where consumers save 15%.
In past years, in addition, to live streams that have been available exclusively on PokerGO the World Series of Poker have hosted their own live streams which were available on their website and also broadcast on Twitch. However, it appears that there will not be a secondary live stream this year as there are no other streams planned, according to Seth Palansky, WSOP Vice President, Corporate Communication.
“What has been announced from Poker Central is everything planned,” Palansky told PocketFives. “This is the third year of our deal with PokerGO. They have had complete authority over how/where/quantity of events are streamed. The WSOP hasn’t controlled production since 2016.
“We’re appreciative of the quality of production and breadth of top-notch commentators Poker Central has poured into the WSOP to make it first class, and respect their need to make the business sustainable long-term. It is far from free to set up shop and run essentially six weeks straight, so while free is nice, it’s reasonable to have viewers share in the cost via a subscription model, a common model in use today across media platforms. The cost is nominal when you think about receiving about 400 hours of content just during the WSOP alone.”
Some of the marquee bracelet events that will be shown exclusively on CBS All Access include the final tables of the inaugural Big 50, the Marathon, Seniors Event, $25,000 Pot-Limit Omaha High Roller, Monster Stack, the Mini Main Event, the Little One for One Drop, and the $10,000 No-Limit Hold’em Six Max.
PokerGO will have exclusivity to the final tables of the $50,000 No-Limit Hold’em, $10,000 Heads Up Championship, Millionaire Maker, and $50,000 Poker Players Championship, among others.
CBS All Access is currently only available to customers in the U.S., Canada, and Australia. The rest of the world will be able to view all of the events with their subscription to PokerGO.
Schedule of PokerGO/CBS All Access Streaming Events
| Date | Time | Event | Airing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 05/30 | 1 p.m. | $10,000 Super Turbo Bounty Final Table (Event #2) | CBS All Access/ PokerGO |
| 05/31 | 1 p.m. | BIG 50 – $500 No-Limit Hold’em Final Table (Event #3) | PokerGO |
| 06/02 | 1 p.m. | $1,500 Omaha Hi/Lo 8 or Better Final Table (Event #4) | CBS All Access |
| 06/03 | TBD | High Roller – $50,000 No-Limit Hold’em for the 50th Annual Final Table (Event #5) | PokerGO |
| 06/04 | 7 p.m. | $600 No-Limit Hold’em Deepstack Final Table (Event #9) | CBS All Access |
| 06/05 | 1 p.m. | $10,000 Short Deck No-Limit Hold’em Final Table (Event #8) | PokerGO |
| 06/06 | 1 p.m. | $5,000 No-Limit Hold’em Final Table (Event #11) | CBS All Access/ PokerGO |
| 06/07 | 1 p.m. | BIG 50 – $500 No-Limit Hold’em Final Table (Event #3) | CBS All Access |
| 06/08 | 1 p.m. | $10,000 Heads-Up No-Limit Hold’em Final Table (Event #15) | PokerGO |
| 06/09 | 1 p.m. | $10,000 Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better Final Table (Event #18) | CBS All Access |
| 06/10 | 1 p.m. | $1,500 Seven-Card Stud Final Table (Event #20) | CBS All Access |
| 06/11 | 1 p.m. | $10,000 No-Limit 2-7 Lowball Draw Final Table (Event #21) | CBS All Access/ PokerGO |
| 06/12 | 1 p.m. | Millionaire Maker – $1,500 No-Limit Hold’em Final Table (Event #19) | PokerGO |
| 06/13 | 1 p.m. | $1,500 Seven-Card Stud Hi/Lo 8 or Better Final Table (Event #27) | CBS All Access |
| 06/14 | 1 p.m. | $10,000 HORSE Final Table (Event #29) | CBS All Access/ PokerGO |
| 06/15 | 1 p.m. | $2,620 No-Limit Hold’em Marathon Final Table (Event #26) | CBS All Access |
| 06/16 | 1 p.m. | Seniors No-Limit Hold’em Final Table (Event #32) | CBS All Access |
| 06/17 | 1 p.m. | $3,000 No-Limit Hold’em Shootout Final Table (Event #36) | CBS All Access/ PokerGO |
| 06/18 | 3 p.m. | $800 No-Limit Hold’em Deepstack Final Table (Event #37) | CBS All Access |
| 06/19 | 1 p.m. | $1,500 Pot-Limit Omaha Final Table (Event #40) | CBS All Access |
| 06/20 | 1 p.m. | $10,000 Seven Card Stud Final Table (Event #41) | CBS All Access/ PokerGO |
| 06/21 | 7 p.m. | $1,500 No-Limit Hold’em Bounty Final Table (Event #44) | CBS All Access |
| 06/22 | 1 p.m. | $25,000 Pot-Limit Omaha High Roller Final Table (Event #45) | CBS All Access |
| 06/23 | 1 p.m. | $1,000/$10,000 Ladies No-Limit Hold’em (Event #47) | CBS All Access/ PokerGO |
| 06/24 | 9 p.m. | $800 No-Limit Hold’em Deepstack 8-Handed Final Table (Event #53) | CBS All Access |
| 06/25 | 1 p.m. | $10,000 Pot-Limit Omaha 8-Handed Final Table (Event #52) | PokerGO |
| 06/26 | 1 p.m. | Monster Stack – $1,500 No-Limit Hold’em Final Table (Event #50) | CBS All Access |
| 06/27 | 3 p.m. | $50,000 Poker Players Championship Final Table (Event #58) | PokerGO |
| 06/28 | 1 p.m. | $50,000 Poker Players Championship Final Table (Event #58) | PokerGO |
| 06/29 | 7 p.m. | $400 COLOSSUS Final Table (Event #61) | CBS All Access |
| 06/30 | 1 p.m. | $1,500 Omaha Mix Final Table (Event #63) | CBS All Access |
| 07/01 | 1 p.m. | $10,000 Pot-Limit Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better Final Table (Event #65) | CBS All Access |
| 07/02 | 9 p.m. | $1,000 Mini Main Event Final Table (Event #69) | CBS All Access |
| 07/03 | 7 p.m. | $888 Crazy Eights No-Limit Hold’em Final Table (Event #64) | CBS All Access |
| 07/04 | 1 p.m. | $5,000 No-Limit Hold’em 6-Handed Final Table (Event #70) | CBS All Access |
| 07/11 | 5 p.m. | $1000 +$111 Little One for One Drop Final Table (Event #75) | CBS All Access |
| 07/12 | 1 p.m. | $3,000 No-Limit Hold’em Final Table (Event #79) | CBS All Access |
| 07/13 | 1 p.m. | $100,000 No-Limit Hold’em High Roller Final Table (Event #83) | CBS All Access/ PokerGO |
| 07/14 | 1 p.m. | $1,500 50th Annual Bracelet Winners Only No-Limit Hold’em Final Table (Event #81) | CBS All Access |
| 07/15 | 7 p.m. | The Closer – $1,500 No-Limit Hold’em Final Table (Event #84) | CBS All Access |
| 07/16 | 1 p.m. | $10,000 No-Limit Hold’em 6-Handed Final Table (Event #86) | CBS All Access |
