Poker Sports, the first Latin American TV poker channel, is born

Why is it a poker channel for Latin America?

We created Poker Sports thinking in Latin America, because we understand that it could only be developed at a regional level. After the success of poker in television, through sports signals such as ESPN and Fox Sports, the market is already mature for a thematic signal, with a public that is willing to see this type of contents.

Where will it be broadcast initially and what type of public do you expect to reach, both in a first stage and in the future?

Until the end of 2010, we have the exclusive rights in Argentina with Cablevision chain. Besides, during the first stage, we will be reaching markets such as Brazil, Paraguay, Mexico and Spain. Among these countries, we have a coverage area of more than 20 million subscribers.

On the other hand, we have an offering from Media Blue Europe, one of the largest TV operators in Italy, to commercialize Poker Sports in Germany, France, England and Italy, which will be confirmed before the release.

What type of programmes will the channel offer? Will it offer 24-hour programming, with its own production, international products...?

Yes, absolutely. We are the first Latin American signal with 24-hour poker. The backbone of our signal is the news program, Poker Sports News, which will have three daily editions and will be in charge of Yogonet, which is also partner in this development. Our aim was to count with a support based in the credibility and acknowledgement inside the industry, and we consider that Yogonet was the partner we needed in order to have that kind of backing.

We will also count with a wide range of contents and our own productions such as Perfect Hand, Hig Rollers Latinoamérica and Poker Pro, among others. Besides, we have big programs worldwide, such as World Poker Tour, After Dark and Europe Open Poker Classic. We will be covering all the big tournaments globally, such as the World Series of Poker, EPT, Latin American Heads Up Series and Conrad Poker Tour.

What is the investment estimated in order to launch the channel, and why did you choose to give a sporty profile to the signal, with an American look?

We started with an initial investment of a million dollars, but we can already say that a lot of companies belonging to the sector are supporting us with their contents and advertisements, and we think that, with this support, our business plan has started very well.

With regards to the sport, we bring a sporty spirit to this signal, because we firmly believe that poker is a sport more than a game, and it has been validated by the big sports signals such as ESPN. In fact, all the cable operators that have hired our signal are putting us in the sports segment. We have an American look, because its essence and the greatest development took place the United States, and we understand that the visual part of poker is identified with that country.

What is your previous experience before developing this type of signal?

We have an experience of four years as producers of poker contents for TV for ESPN, developing and broadcasting more than 15 tournaments, with more than us$ 2 million delivered, among all the events.

What advantages can this signal offer to all Latin American casinos and to all the manufacturers specialized in this sector?

It can bring huge advantages to all casinos. The different gambling venues have a big number and variety of tournaments during the year. A new oportunity is brought to all Latin American casinos, by trying to seduce a new public through poker, because they can not only play but also try the different gaming offers that each poker room has. Not only they can develop the tournaments now, but also broadcast them and, this way, they can reach millions of homes. Just in Argentina there a re more than 30 tournaments every year. And with regards to the manufacturers, the benefit will be for the whole sector, because we understand that a 24-hour signal will consolidate poker even more, as an industry itself, with Poker Sports at the forefront of the news and contents.