So I really nailed it when predicting the outcomes of the tournament itself … picked Joe Cada as the winner and declared Darvin Moon to be finishing in either 2nd or 4th.

However, I also said: “Seriously, I’m predicting ratings boom.”

Oops …

For Immediate Release
November 12, 2009

World Series of Poker Finale Draws 2.1 Million Viewers on ESPN

With 21-year-old Joe Cada of Michigan setting a record as the youngest champion ever, more than 2.1 million viewers watched ESPN’s same-day coverage of the World Series of Poker, presented by Jack Link’s Beef Jerky, from Las Vegas on Tuesday, Nov. 10. The telecast earned a 1.8 household coverage rating in an average of 1,806,113 households, a slight decrease from the 1.9 rating earned for the 2008 finale.

ESPN’s 15-week schedule of World Series of Poker coverage in 2009 included 31 telecasts averaging a 1.0 rating, even with last year. However, averages for households (1,024,901) and viewership (1,228,008) increased nine and seven percent, respectively, from 2008, and the important Male 25-54 demographic saw a 13 percent jump from 2008.

It only took one year for the record for youngest winner to be broken. Denmark’s Peter Eastgate was 22 when he captured the 2008 crown.

-30-

Click below for a more detailed breakdown and recent-history comparison of the ratings, courtesy of a ganked Poker Beat email from BJ.

Speaking of … don’t forget to tune in today to The Poker Beat, as we will be getting all-WSOPy like all get-out!

Most of us probably got the email from ESPN that 2.1 million viewers watched the WSOP final table Tuesday night. I’ve compared it with the same email from a year ago (both press releases are attached below) to get solid year-over-year numbers from an identical source.

As Oliver Tse would eagerly point out, total numbers don’t tell the entire story — it’s about key demographics. This year’s press release touts the fact that 25-54 year-old male viewers increased by 13% (season average) compared to last year. It wasn’t mentioned in last year’s press release, but I have found data that says the 2008 numbers were up 2% compared to 2007 for men ages 18-34, and up 16% among men ages 25-54.

So while overall ratings are down slightly, we have increased some of our key demographics for three straight years, which should keep ESPN happy.

— BJ

2009 – Joe Cada’s Victory
Rating: 1.8
Households: 1,806,113
Average Viewers: 2,100,000

2008 – Peter Eastgate’s Victory
Rating: 1.9
Households: 1,905,000
Average Viewers: 2,364,000

2007 – Jerry Yang’s Victory (No November 9 Format)
Rating: 1.4
Households: 1,329,000
Average Viewers: 1,635,000

– – – – – – – – – –

The season averages listed below are for ESPN’s WSOP broadcasts leading up to the final table.

2009 – Season Average
Rating: 1.0
Households: 1,024,901
Average Viewers: 1,228,008

2008 – Season Average
Rating: 0.9
Households: 919,000
Average Viewers: 1,126,000

2007 – Season Average
Rating: ? (presumably 0.8)
Households: 815,000
Average Viewers: 981,000