World Poker Tour Scores Opposite Super Bowl Pre-Game

The debut of the World Poker Tour on network television was successful, as the Travel Channel World Poker Tour Battle of Champions scored a 3.0 overnight rating last Sunday, meaning it was watched by more than ten million estimated viewers.

Second only to the Super Bowl pre-game show in the 4 to 6 p.m. eastern U.S. time slot, the World Poker Tour showed that its ratings juggernaut on The Travel Channel is no fluke. The World Poker Tour's second season begins March 3 on The Travel Channel.

"This is another important step in establishing the World Poker Tour as the next major televised sports sensation," said WPT founder, producer and CEO Steve Lipscomb in a press release. "As our audience grows, so does the excitement about the sport."

The World Poker Tour, launched in March 2003, is the highest-rated series in the history of the Travel Channel. The WPT unveiled its new one-minute clock on the NBC broadcast, compelling players to call, raise or toss in their hands before 60 seconds.

In addition to the World Poker Tour series on Wednesday nights, the Travel Channel will also air three more Hollywood Home Game specials on Sunday nights in the spring, featuring celebrities playing for a $25,000 seat in the WPT Championship and for charity.