Televised poker is big business, and the World Series is the biggest tournament of them all, so it's not surprising that the broadcasters ESPN are running a tight ship with regards to programming. This year there won't be a delay of weeks before you can watch the action from the Main Event, but from the 22nd of August a whole fleet of shows will cover the event in a way that no humble blogger could.
With 25 cameras promised (including some kind of technical miracle which apparently zooms over the whole room) it sounds like they've got the scale about right - for anyone who hasn't been to the Rio Megacardroom, it's about an hour round trip on foot. The first blonde update team (myself and tikay) found the overwhelming TV presence exactly that, but through a rigorous routine of weights and agility training, we and Snoops hope to be able to dodge around the extraordinary amount of equipment which will in turn be providing the most intense televised coverage to date.
Plus, and this is probably the most interesting innovation on the cards, as it were, there will be the opportunity to Pay-Per-View yourself into a front row live seat at the final table. According to a press release from Harrah's, the suggested price of $24.95 would get you on August 10th 8pm UK time access to live streaming on the internet, or TV. Where tikay and I sat behind a voluminous black curtain, watching the live action taking place feet away on a small TV, you could have access to the intended 10 "pocket cams" and that rather inappropriate but voyeuristically satisfying "rabbit cam."
It sounds like standing ten deep behind a rigorously patrolled rail live at the Rio may not be the way to watch any more - but with far less coverage reserved for the other events (including the phenomenally expensive HORSE tournament) there may be a place for us updaters after all...