World Poker Tour on NBC Scores Opposite Super Bowl Pregame Show

Friday February 6, 7:01 am ET

Network Debut of WPT Racks Up 3.0 Rating

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 6, 2004--The debut of the WORLD POKER TOUR on network television proved to be an unqualified success. Establishing that the public's growing appetite for the World Poker Tour has only just begun to be tapped, THE TRAVEL CHANNEL WORLD POKER TOUR BATTLE OF CHAMPIONS on NBC scored a whopping 3.0 overnight rating on Sunday, watched by more than ten million estimated viewers.

Second only to the Super Bowl pre-game show in the 4-6 p.m. (ET) time slot, The World Poker Tour showed that its ratings juggernaut on The Travel Channel is no fluke. The network debut of the skillfully crafted series that has taken the nation by storm scored so impressively that it will drive momentum for the launch of the World Poker Tour's second season March 3 on The Travel Channel.

"I think 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. "As our audience grows, so does the excitement about the sport."

"It's not just about poker." Lipscomb says, "It's about the WPT's brand of televised poker, which is driving America's passion for the game. It's about how we tell the story, build the drama and make the viewer feel that he is sitting in the seat making the million-dollar decision. Our mix of the WPT Cam to reveal players' hole cards, 17 cameras, expert commentary, top quality production values, and that magic thing that happens in the editing room all combine to make this show a hit. The World Poker Tour continues to set the standard for poker on television."

The World Poker Tour, launched in March 2003, has transformed poker into a televised mainstream sports sensation, creating record-setting ratings and capturing millions of new fans for America's favorite card game. Conceived by Lipscomb and co-owned by Lakes Entertainment of Minneapolis, a leader in management of Indian gaming casinos, The World Poker Tour was the first show to raise televised poker to the level of true entertainment.

The blockbuster series--the highest rated in the history of the Travel Channel--has riveted the nation's TV viewers thanks to its hallmarks--a blend of high caliber sports-style production shot from 17 different camera angles, expert commentary, cliffhanging "reality TV" drama and the WPT's signature "ace in the hole"--its revolutionary WPT Cams, that reveal the players' hidden cards.

Continuing its tradition of innovation, 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. If they failed to heed the clock, the rim of the poker table would light up in red, signaling the player's hand was dead. It added a new level of excitement to the game, already filled with high stakes drama.

THE TRAVEL CHANNEL WORLD POKER TOUR BATTLE OF CHAMPIONS proved to be a worthy network debut, as six of the tournament champions from the WPT's first season faced off in a tense two-hour confrontation. The final four--Cinderella-story amateur Juha Helppi, Howard "the Professor" Lederer, Costa Rican champion Jose Rosenkrantz, and retired businessman Ron Rose--demonstrated high stakes poker at its best. The player with the best cards didn't necessarily win the hand. Victory often went to the most wily--and sometimes the luckiest--player at the table.

"Billy Campbell and the Travel Channel deserve a lot of credit for the gamble they took on the World Poker Tour," said Lipscomb. "And, John Miller at NBC had the vision to counter program the Super Bowl pre-game with the new great American pastime--poker. What a remarkable, amazing success. I personally hope we can do the same thing every year."

"We are looking forward to a fantastic second season and know that the fans will follow us to our Wednesday Poker Nights on the Travel Channel. We feel the future of the WPT is unlimited and we cannot be more excited by this tremendous shot in the arm."

In addition to The World Poker Tour series every Wednesday, the WPT will also air three more Hollywood Home Game specials on Sunday nights in the spring, featuring top name celebrities playing for a $25,000-seat in the WPT Championship and for charity. The WPT was also the first show to spotlight top women professionals in its Ladies' Night tournament, broadcast in December.

The WORLD POKER TOUR airs regularly on Wednesday nights at 9 p.m. ET/PT on The Travel Channel. In the WPT's second season, an extraordinary $30 million will be up for grabs.

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