World Poker Tour officials excitedly announced a large 35 percent increase in ratings over last season. The WPT is now the highest rated show on FSN with average number of weekly viewers at 69,000. WPT CEO Steve Heller and President Adam Pliska reveled in the positive news in light of the drastic drastic changes to the show’s format and cast in Season IX. Their goal was to introduce “YES” programming (standing for Younger, Edgier, and Sexier elements) into the series.
The World Poker Tour show introduced several changes, including the return in a enhanced role of popular Kimberly Lansing as a co-host and an on-air segment called the “Raw Deal” with opinionated young poker pro Tony Dunst. Dunst has lived up the the pressure of beating out more than a thousand talents who auditioned for the coveted position.
The WPT has also a few lovely poker “ambassadors,” called the Royal Flush Girls, who include 2010 Maxim Hometown Hottie of the Year Melanie Iglesias, 2007 Miss Kentucky USA Michelle Banzer, “FHM Singapore” cover girl Sunisa Kim, and Formula Drift car builder Melyssa Grace. The ladies strut their styled selves in each episode, while adding more glamour and beauty to the final table scene.
Mike Sexton and Vince Van Patten remain the mainstay hosts for a ninth season which has pleased FSN officials.
“WPT is having a banner year on FSN. This season is on pace to be our most-watched ever,” said FSN VP of Programming David Sussin.
Season IX of the WPT on FSN is only halfway done, as the network will air eight more episodes over the next eight Sunday nights (8 and 11 p.m.). Among the tournaments yet to air include the Hollywood Poker Open, Seminole Hard Rock Showdown, Bay 101 Shooting Star, and the $25,000 WPT World Championship at Bellagio.One upcoming highlight will be coverage of the inaugural World Poker Tour Super High Roller, in which 29 of the game’s top pros bought in for $100,000, the highest buy-in event in U.S. history. The final table included poker heavyweights such as Eric Seidel, Daniel Negreanu, and Erick Lindgren, as well as online superstars Justin Bonomo and Vivek Rajkumar.
Here’s a look at the remaining WPT schedule on FSN:
June 19th: Bay 101 Shooting Star
June 26th: Bay 101 Shooting Star
July 3rd: Hollywood Poker Open
July 10th: Hollywood Poker Open
July 17th: Seminole Hard Rock
July 24th: Seminole Hard Rock
July 31st: WPT Championship
August 7th: WPT Championship
