Sport1 cancels poker broadcasts and thus causes criticism

Home » Sport1 cancels poker broadcasts and thus causes criticism

German sports channel Sport1 has surprisingly removed all poker programs from its schedule. The decision comes despite existing contracts with long-time partner GGPoker, which would have guaranteed the broadcaster revenues of around 3.5 million euros by the summer.

The measure is part of a strategic restructuring that the new majority owner, Turkish media company Ekunmedya, is pursuing after joining the company in November 2024. GGPoker and other critics express serious concerns about the financial and strategic consequences.

Prioritizing entertainment formats

In an internal communication, Sport1 justified the decision by focusing on entertainment formats. It aims to reach a wider and wider audience. Between 4:00 pm and 1:00 am, there will be more focus on formats like Exatlon and My Style Rocks, produced by Ekunmedya.

Gambling-related content such as poker programs, on the other hand, should only be broadcast after 1:00 pm – a time slot that provides no added value for GGPoker. The popular football program Fan-Talk was also canceled to make room for new formats.

Sport1 explained to Bild-Zeitung: “By integrating the internationally successful content of our new shareholder Ekunmedya, we can open up new programming opportunities that have the potential to attract a wider audience.”

However, so far the new formats have not lived up to expectations. Sports reality show Exatlon achieved only six-figure viewership, while fashion show My Style Rocks also failed to achieve any ratings hits.

Criticism of breach of contract and dismissal

GGPoker strongly protested the cancellation of the broadcast and called the decision a breach of contract. Poker content was still partially broadcast during the World Cup of Darts, which took place at London's Alexandra Palace from December 15, 2024, to January 3, 2025, but the originally planned scope of the broadcast exceeded the poker giant's expectations. Was less.

GGPoker

Critics also accuse Sport1 of taking financial risks by giving up poker revenues. Particularly explosive: With 3.5 million euros, many employees laid off at the end of 2024 could be retained. The company justified the layoffs at the time with strategic and personnel restructuring.

Experts are also criticizing the decision in terms of content. Poker broadcasts remained an integral part of the program for years and attracted loyal viewers. The reorientation towards entertainment shows is considered risky as it would be difficult for these formats to gain a foothold in an already highly competitive market.

Focus on your own presentations

Behind Ekunmedya's strategy is apparently also a desire to strengthen its production areas. The group hopes to gain a strong market position with formats such as cooking show MasterChef and survival show Survivor, which are scheduled to launch in the first quarter of 2025.

Whether it will be successful remains to be seen. In any case, critics fear that the change may result in the sports channel losing its previous main target group.

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