ESPN extends partnership with WSOP

US sports broadcaster ESPN has extended its rights partnership with the World Series of Poker (WSOP).

The four-year agreement will run from 2017 to 2020.

ESPN will broadcast an estimated 40 hours of live WSOP main event coverage, as well as a series of original packaged shows totalling 130 hours per year.

This year, ESPN will broadcast 10 consecutive days of live main event coverage on its ESPN and ESPN2 channels from July 8-17, as well as the main event three-day final from July 20-22.

Las Vegas-based media platform Poker Central will pick up any coverage not shown on television by ESPN and will stream it through its distribution channels on an exclusive basis.

The agreement marks the first-time ESPN will air same-day coverage of the WSOP from day one of the main event to the conclusion of the final table, a model which will continue through 2020.

As part of the agreement, Poker Central will also offer sponsorship opportunities and commercial inventory.