The Poker Channel, the world's first dedicated poker TV channel, continues its European expansion with the launch of its service on Belgium's BeTV platform. Through a new partnership with the Belgian cable operator, The Poker Channel will be carried in the sports bouquet on Channel 36.
Programs include Europe's first independent poker tour, the European Poker Masters, which features the biggest names in poker and a combined prize pool of more than $1 million; the Million Dollar Cash Game – Europe's highest stakes cash game ever, featuring some of the most celebrated poker pros in the world including Phil Ivey, Chris "Jesus" Ferguson, Gus Hansen, and Jennifer Harman; The Invitational from Monaco – the first-ever poker event staged at Monte Carlo's famous Grand Casino, and the first time cameras were allowed inside the historic venue; and the 12 Steps to Poker Heaven – an educational but entertaining "how to" series taking viewers from complete beginner, to intermediate, and then to pro, with tips from world-renowned pros.
The free-to-air channel is currently carried in six other major European markets: Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Denmark, on Canal Digital, the regions' largest digital satellite network; France on Noos Numericable and ADSL platform Free; Germany on Kabel Deutschland and KBW. European poker fans who do not have access to any of these networks can still receive the channel with a satellite dish pointed towards 1° west and an appropriate set-top box (tuned to 11.229 gigahertz horizontal).
The channel is maintaining its presence in the UK through its channel block deals and the rest of the world through its broadband feed, www.pokerchannelbroadband.com, as well as other strategic online distribution partnerships with the likes of YouTube (www.youtube.com/pokerchannel), Joost, Vuze, Zattoo, and Mediazone.
The Poker Channel first launched in the UK on the Sky Digital platform in March 2005 as the world's first dedicated poker channel.
