Poker Central to Finally be on TV Somewhere
When is a 24/7 poker television network not really a 24/7 poker television network? When it is not actually on television. This has been one of the major criticisms of Poker Central so far in its brief existence, as the “network” has only been available as an online streaming channel. Perhaps that is changing, though, as MultiChannel.com reported Thursday that Poker Central has signed a deal with Buckeye CableSystem in Ohio so that now at least some people can watch the channel without eating into their internet data limits.
It is no Comcast or Charter (and perhaps that is a good thing), but Buckeye CableSystem is actually a real, full-fledge cable provider. Based in Toledo, Ohio, the company serves northwest Ohio and a portion of southeast Michigan.* It is the 25th largest cable provider in the United States. It is very much a regional provider, dominating its coverage area despite the presence of the big boys like AT&T U-Verse and Time Warner Cable.
Interestingly, Buckeye sends a letter to its customers each year that contains the personal phone numbers, both home and cell, of upper management, all the way to the top. It’s the company’s way of trying to be the tops in customer service.
In press release, Jeff Abbas, president and general manager of Buckeye CableSystem, said, “We are pleased to be able to offer our subscribers the very best and newest in entertainment and sports programming. Poker Central will find many passionate viewers among our customers in Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan.”
Poker Central will be on channel 92 in standard definition and channel 579 in high definition.
Poker Central began hyping itself last spring and finally launched on October 1st, 2015. It was roundly criticized because, while it billed itself as the world’s first 25/7 poker television network, nobody could find on their television lineups. As it turned out, it was not a television network in the traditional since, but rather an online-only streaming network. On Poker Central’s “Find Us” page, it says poker fans can watch the channel via Xbox One, Xbox 360, Amazon Fire TV, Roku, and Apple TV. It is not available on Chromecast, nor can it simply be streamed via a web browser. Well, technically it can be streamed in a browser, but only through filmon.com if you are willing to pay for it.
Another criticism some have levied upon the channel is its lack of original programming. Most of the shows on the network are re-runs tournaments that have already been broadcast or streamed elsewhere or re-airings of defunct shows like “Poker After Dark” and “High Stakes Poker.” In August, Poker Central announced that it was working on two new original shows, “Pokerography” and “Inside Poker” and “Pokerography” is finally on the network, with several episodes airing every Monday night.
It hasn’t been all bad so far for Poker Central, though. The network’s big endeavor last year, aside from its launch, was the creation and broadcast of the Super High Roller Bowl and Super High Roller Celebrity Shootout. For former was held at the ARIA Resort & Casino at the beginning of July, with the latter held just before that. A total of 43 players entered the $500,000 buy-in tournament, creating a $21.5 million prize pool and a $7.525 million first prize, which went to Brian Rast.
Those tournaments were broadcast on the NBC Sports Network, before Poker Central’s network got up and running.
The Super High Roller Bowl was popular enough that it will return this year. The buy-in has been decreased to $300,000 and a maximum of 49 players can enter. A sponsor will pony up another $300,000 to elevate the total prize pool to an even $15 million. The final table will be seven-handed, with all seven players making the money. The min-cash for that seventh place player will be $5 million. And don’t expect any hoodies. All players are required to wear at least business casual outfits and are not permitted to don sunglasses.
Poker Central will also broadcast Mediarex Sports & Entertainment’s inaugural Global Poker League this year. The Global Poker League will kick off soon, though a schedule has yet to be released. The draft for the league will be held on February 25th and the championships are slated for this summer. A dozen teams will be competing, each representing a different city. Each team will be composed of five players: the team manager, three drafted players, and a “wild card” to be recruited after the draft.
*Side note: if I lived in Michigan, I am not so sure if I would be in love with my cable company invoking the name of my state’s college rival.
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