A lawsuit that has tainted the longstanding relationship between WPT Enterprises and the Travel Channel has ended “amicably," according to a joint statement released by the companies. Now that the the dream team of poker programming has done away with the bad blood, the two companies can prepare to air the much-talked-about Professional Poker Tour (PPT). WPTE and the Travel Channel have finalized a broadcast licensing deal for the PPT and are planning to debut the poker show in the third quarter of 2006.

The PPT, a poker tournament show featuring only the most renowned poker players, will air on Wednesday nights from 9-11 PM ET/PT after season four of the World Poker Tour (WPT) comes to an close. With both the WPT and the PPT on its prime time schedule, the Travel Channel will air a total of 44 weeks worth of premier WPT-branded shows. Pat Younge, executive vice president and general manager of the Travel Channel, said that adding the PPT to its lineup “really bolsters [the] 'Wednesday Night is Poker Night on the Travel Channel' platform."

The PPT brings together 200 of the best poker players on the tournament circuit and has them battle it out on the felt. Unlike standard WPT competitions, in which anyone can enter, the PPT is by invitation-only. Players qualify through outstanding performance in WPT and World Series of Poker events, in addition to other accolades, such as inclusion in the Poker Hall of Fame.

Source:  Poker777 Staff

Tuesday, 31 January 2006