In television ratings are the key metric, and TVBytheNumbers.com is reporting that the total viewership for the 2010 World Series of Poker Final Table on ESPN dropped an astounding 30% from last year. Last year saw an impressive 2.2 million viewers tune in for the Main Event Final Table on ESPN, a number that dropped to just over 1.5 million in 2010.
An ESPN spokesman told PokerNewsDaily.com: “We have seen some declines in our viewership this season and are looking into possible causes and solutions. Overall, the WSOP continues to rate well among our programs and Tuesday’s WSOP final table telecast was the third most-watched program of the night on ESPN.”
There are two very likely culprits for the ratings nosedive:
1. Moving the Final Table broadcast from 9PM to 10PM
It’s unclear why ESPN would take the Final Table out of the 9PM slot –in its stead they broadcast an inspiring story, but one that could be shown at virtually any time or date. Really, they couldn’t have waited a day or a week to show the feel-good special?
2. No Phil Ivey
No offense to “The Grinder” or any of the other participants, but in poker Phil Ivey is “IT”. Without the Ivey Factor it was almost a guarantee that the WSOP ratings would dip.
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