I hear cowbells: NBC extends and improves partnership with Poker Central

I hear cowbells: NBC extends and improves partnership with Poker Central

Poker continues to remind the US mainstream audience of its presence after the NBC Sports Group extended and improved their deal with Poker Central to show the very best high stakes action in the business.

I hear cowbells: NBC extends and improves partnership with Poker CentralPoker is returning to the once fertile lands from whence it grazed so bountifully. I can hear the tinkle of the bells from over the mountain. Black Friday. The Poker Gods angered by the interference of politicians sent fire and brimstone to the earth. The once lush lands blackened with anger and suffering.

The poker players had no choice but to put on their roller skates and scoot off elsewhere. They still lead a nomadic lifestyle. They still yearn for home. But things are changing.

In April 2017, poker returned to American TV screens when Poker Central brokered a deal with the NBC Sports Group on the eve of the $300,000 buy-in Super High Roller Bowl (SHRB).

It was an important moment in the resurrection of poker as a form of legitimate entertainment in the US. The comedian Kevin Hart added the celebrity sheen, and Christoph Vogelsang walked away with the $6m first prize.

It seems the NBC Sports Group liked what it saw.

NBC Sports Group and Poker Central Extend and Improve

The coupling continues until 2020.

Eager to provide the masses with more high stakes poker action, NBC will show the 2018 SHRB, the US Open and the Poker Masters (broadcast dates yet to be announced).

In the press release, Gary Quinn, VP of Programming for NBC Sports Group pointed to the success of the 2017 SHRB as the primary reason for going back to Poker Central, Oliver Twist bowl in hand.

The inaugural Poker Masters took place in September. Another German took the title, this time Steffen Sontheimer earning over $2.7m across a series of high stakes matches to take the Purple Jacket.

As I type, PokerGO viewers are preparing for their first taste of the US Poker Open, the Mixed Game version of the Poker Masters. Players will compete in an eight-event series running Feb 1-11 with the man or woman earning the most money crowned the US Poker Open Champion, and for the first time, mainstream sports fans will get the chance to tune in thanks to NBC.

Here are the US Poker Open events:

2 x $10k No Limit Hold’em

$10k Pot-Limit Omaha

3 x $25k No Limit Hold’em

USPO $25k Mixed Games Championship

$50k No Limit Hold’em Main Event

“This year, poker fans will have even more ways to watch some of the world’s biggest poker tournaments.” JR McCabe, Chief Digital Officer, Poker Central.

NBC sports fans will be able to watch the action on NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app allowing for viewing on live streaming platforms via desktop, mobile devices and connected TVs. If you can’t wait that long then you can catch all of the action live via PokerGO.