U.K. network launches two new poker shows

U.K.-based television network Challenge TV today announced it is planning to launch two new poker shows next month: "Women's Poker" and "Showbiz Poker." The new women's only television show is being sponsored by 888.com, owner of Pacific Poker, and will air every night at 10 p.m. for two weeks beginning on April 3. "Showbiz Poker" will air weekdays at 10:30 p.m. starting on April 17.

"Women's Poker" will feature celebrity poker enthusiasts, established poker pros, and home viewers as the contestants, while "Showbiz Poker" will be a celebrity-based tournament-style series awarding a prize pool of £25,000.

"We're always ahead of the game in poker programming and women are about to clean up in the male dominated poker world," said Celia Taylor, deputy controller of Challenge. "They are the fastest growing [demographic] of online poker players and we're bringing them out of their homes and onto the tables."

Other poker shows and tournaments broadcast by Challenge TV include the World Poker Tour (WPT), Celebrity Poker Showdown, Ultimate Poker Challenge, and the World Series of Poker (WSOP).