The 2011 World Series of Poker will have new producers this year for their TV coverage. 441 Productions, who has produced the World Series of Poker on ESPN broadcasts for a number of years, is being replaced by Poker PROductions.
Speculation amongst the poker community feels that WSOP executives wanted to address the dip in ratings for the ESPN broadcasts and inject a new fresher perspective. Apparently 441 Production's costs weren't sustainable within current market conditions.
Poker PROductions currently produces Poker After Dark, Doubles Poker Championship, National Heads-Up Poker Championship and High Stakes Poker. The company has also produced WSOP Europe broadcasts.
The future of the current commentating team of Norman Chad and Lon McEachern is uncertain. At the LA Poker Classic this week Phil Hellmuth hinted that he may be brought in to work with ESPN in some capacity.