HIGH DEFINITION POKER TV SERIES AT DISCOP 07!
MARCH 18, 2007

A few years back, no one would have thought that televised poker tournaments would prove to be a huge ratings success. Today, for many, poker is no longer a game of luck but an established sport, and poker themed television content has become part of mainstream programming in many countries, driving not only poker veterans to the screen but also young generations of would-be players. Amongst international producers of poker TV shows, the Los Angeles-based “National Poker League” has emerged as one the most aggressive organization in the world after partnering up with casinos in Las Vegas, Paris, London and Manila to produce a series of poker tournaments designed specifically for television and without any links to online gambling websites. The result is a 39-hour, high-definition, high-quality, series, “The NPL 2007 Global Poker Circuit” to be offered at DISCOP 07.

DISCOP LINK – Following your recent meetings with European broadcasters, do you find that their views on televised poker have changed in the last few months?

NATIONAL POKER LEAGUE - Eighteen months ago, European broadcasters wouldn’t consider a poker TV series because the public demand was not there. Since then, poker has become a phenomenon in all of Europe. A lot of networks have created a poker programming block and a few of them have even created their own celebrity poker tournament.

DL – Do you feel that broadcasters are under a lot of regulatory pressure as a lot of poker TV shows are in fact advertising in disguise for online poker web sites?

NPL - Almost every poker show is either sponsored or created by online poker web sites, meaning that viewers never know if these shows are legitimate tournaments or one long 30-minute commercial. Most countries have banned online poker which has made it difficult for broadcasters to acquire content that doesn’t have any online poker branding. Networks are now focused on attracting mainstream audiences and general advertisers and sponsors that are not related to the online gambling industry, to support their poker programming.

DL - What makes the “NPL 2007 Global Poker Circuit” series different from other shows?

NPL - For one, we’re not online gamming supported. The series is completely clean of any gambling product. We are also the first true global poker circuit which hits America, Europe and Asia. NPL (National Poker League) is modelled after a sports brand, which is why the series has attracted advertisers and sponsors who generally would have not attached themselves to gaming related content. Our charity segments have also set up apart. NPL has created a poker charity organization that raises money for social causes. Charity poker players participate in our open events and donate their earnings to their favourite charities. These players are featured within the program.

DL – Why did you choose to produce the “NPL 2007 Global Poker Circuit” in high definition?

NPL Our company has had a lot experience producing shows in high definition. Once you try HD, it’s hard to go back to standard definition because the quality is so much superior. The cost is also much greater, but it’s worth it because it sets our poker series above the rest. The world is slowly changing to HD: in the US, for instance, all networks will broadcast in HD by 2009 which means our show will have a long shelf life.

DL – Are you planning to stage a tournament in Central & Eastern Europe?

NPL - Yes, Central & Eastern Europe is a strategic market for us. In most CEE countries, poker is already huge and we are currently in negotiations with casinos in Lithuania, Estonia and Hungary to add a Central & Eastern European city to our 2008 edition of our “NPL Global Poker Circuit”. In the meantime, we are already working with a network of local casinos to bring Central & Eastern European poker players to this year’s tournaments.

DL – Which TV Stations have already picked up the “NPL 2007 Global Poker Circuit” series in Europe?

NPL - In France, we already have deals in place with the TF1 group and their affiliated cable networks, EUROSPORTS, JET SPORTS and TMC. Following our recent trip to Western Europe, we are currently in negotiations with networks in Italy, Spain, Germany, Portugal and the UK and we hope to finalize these deals in the coming weeks. And since we have decided to take part in DISCOP 07, we have already a few inquiries from various TV stations in Hungary, Poland, Russia, Bulgaria and Ukraine. The HD factor seems to play well in our favour as high definition programs seem to do well in Central & Eastern Europe.

For more information on the “NPL 2007 Global Poker Circuit”: www.nplworldpoker.com