A new online poker television network targeting the Canadian market is set to launch early next month featuring programming from the last three years alongside original content and features.
Available from March 5 at CanadianPokerPlayer.tv, the new network is the brainchild of HeadsUp Entertainment International Incorporated and will begin by broadcasting over 20 hours of programming from a series of major events in Canada featuring Phil Hellmuth, Gavin Smith, Joe Hachem, Huck Seed, Antonio Esfandiari, Phil Laak and Jennifer Tilly.
HeadsUp stated that there are an estimated 3.5 million poker players in Canada and CanadianPokerPlayer.tv will allow them to watch streaming programmes and also choose from archived content to view on demand.
Initial broadcasts will feature action from the Stampede Classic in Calgary, classic heads-up matches between Brad ‘Yukon’ Booth and Huckleberry Seed from the Canadian Open Poker Championships and hands between Edmonton amateur Roger Sarna and World Series Of Poker champion Joe Hachem. The network will also feature documentary programming showcasing the Canadian Poker Tour's Invitational Finals in the Dominican Republic and the 2007 Stampede Classic.
CanadianPokerPlayer.tv is also set to work hand-in-hand with HeadsUp’s Canadian Poker Player Magazine to look in-depth at the poker scene in Canada while covering the Canadian Poker Tour.
“There are so many amazing players and stories that we find on tour,” said Kelly Kellner, President and Chief Executive Officer for HeadsUp.
“Both the magazine and our online network will give players from across the country a forum and showcase as we strive to build new poker superstars.”
HeadsUp stated that leading online casino 888.com will serve as one of its first network sponsors, embedding content and commercials in its broadcast schedule and using CanadianPokerPlayer.tv as a platform to reach players with promotions and incentives on a real-time schedule.
“We believe we will see changes in the way sponsors react to their customers and having the ability to reach large scale audiences with on-the-spot promotions,” said Kellner.
“I am excited to be able to deliver a medium for innovation of content delivery.”
