World Series of Poker Final Table Ratings up 46%

The ratings are in for the World Series of Poker on ESPN and all indicators scream success. ESPN and Harrah’s Entertainment decided to delay the final table of the World Series of Poker Main Event in order to renew interest in poker overall and to try and increase overall ratings of the ESPN’s World Series of Poker broadcasts. ESPN announced on Tuesday the overall rating for its final table broadcast that resulted in Peter Eastgate becoming the youngest Main Event champion ever when he defeated Ivan Demidov heads-up.

The final table drew a 1.9 rating, which is a 46% increase from 2007. In 2007, the final table saw a rating of 1.3. The 1.9 rating translates into 1.91 Million homes watching the broadcast with 2.36 Million viewers watching this historic final table. Last year 1.25 Million homes saw the broadcast with only 1.55 Million viewers. This was a 53% percent increase in the number of homes and 52% increase in the overall number of viewers.

The other episodes broadcast this year averaged a 0.9 rating. This translates into 919,000 homes and 1.13 Million viewers per episode. This is up from the 815,000 homes and 981,000 viewers from last year. This translates into a 13% increase in homes and 15% increase in overall viewership for episodes leading up to the final table.

Looking at the straight ratings alone wouldn’t be a proper indicator of how successful the final table move was. The Penn & Teller theatre was at capacity to watch the players square off at the final. According to Daniel Negreanu, players camped out outside of the Rio the day before in order to get in to see the event. From all accounts, the final table move was a rousing success.

Plans regarding next year’s final table have not been announced yet. Many think that next year’s table will be delayed as well due to the response received from this year’s final. A 46% increase in viewership for the final table may just be enough to make the November Nine the new “November Classic” of poker.