WSOP Main Event broadcasts commenced on ESPN last Tuesday, and the ratings show that the figures for the show are roughly even compared to last year.

The first hour of Main Event coverage following the action on Day 1A drew a 0.8 rating, while the second hour (Day 1B) posted a 0.9 rating. Last year, when Main Event coverage began in September, the ratings were 0.8 and 1.0 respectively.

This week ESPN and WSOP also announced they have reached an agreement for ESPN to carry covering the WSOP exclusively until 2017. A minimum of 32 hours of coverage will be shown every year, the same length as in 2009.

According to the press release, 82 million people watch the WSOP every year.

Source: Poker News Daily.