Poker Central is launching PokerGo, $10-per-month live online streaming subscription for poker events. PokerGo will feature live coverage of some of the largest live poker events in the world, along with original programming.
Poker Central was founded in 2015 by a group of famous poker professionals. The Las Vegas startup company tried to launch a 24-hour cable television network which would show poker tournaments and original card game programming.
Poker Central’s Cable Deals
When the company began trying to win distribution deals in an increasingly monopolistic cable industry, Poker Central hit a stone wall. Few of the cable companies wanted to sign deals with the poker channel, so the group has decided the Internet is a better business model for them.
Online and mobile viewers will be offered a subscription to the content for $10 a month or $99 for a year. Subscribers gain access to big-time poker events like the World Series of Poker (WSOP) and the Super High Roller Bowl.
PokerGo’s Original Programs
Information is not available at the moment about the original poker programming, but one can assume that the founders of Poker Central might lend their name recognition, personalities, and talents to those projects.
Some of the programming from the Poker Central cable programming lineup is likely to continue. Popular programs like Inside Poker With Matt Savage (pictured), Pokerography, and Live at the Bike are expected to be offered as free, ad-supported video on demand.
Poker Central Profile
Poker Central was launched in 2015 by Cary Katz, the founder of College Loan Corp. and a professional poker player. Katz recruited a number of world-famous poker pros to join Poker Central, including Daniel Negreanu, Antonio Esfandiari, and Phil Hellmuth Jr.
The lineup appeared to have all the markings of success. Poker Central signed a deal with the National Cable Television Cooperative, so their broadcasts were shown on Buckeye Broadband and Sony’s PlayStation Vue. That was not enough distribution, so Cary Katz pulled the plug on its linear network.
NBC Sports Group Partnership
In 2016, Poker Central signed a deal with NBC Sports Group as a partner, which seemed to asssure a distribution deal. J.R. McCabe, the former SVP of Video at Time Inc., was the chief digital officer.
At the time of the company’s launch, JR McCabe said Poker Central was “creating a comprehensive platform that truly stands out in a crowded content space.”
He also said that “partnering with the distinguished NBC Sports Group allows us to distribute our content to a platform-agnostic audience“.
Gary Quinn, VP of Programming for NBC Sports Group, said of the setup, “Partnering with Poker Central allows us to continue to deliver high-quality programming, while creating a destination for both existing and new poker fans alike.”
The Creation of PokerGo
With the new arrangement, Poker Central became an option for those who owned Roku, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire TV. A year later, Poker Central and NBC Sports Group continues to tweak its content. While trying to appeal to a younger audience, Poker Central has designed more original programming.
Joe Kakaty, the President of Poker Central, said the PokerGo subscription service is a way to pivot towards the millennial audience. Responding to feedback from potential viewers, Kakaty said PokerGo is finally ready to make an impact. Kakaty said, “It’s a digital pivot because we saw our millennial audience wanted more content. But they wanted new, original content.“
