Has GSN Pulled the Plug on High Stakes Poker?

At a time when you think the poker community's favorite poker program would be filming season five, High Stakes Poker is at a stand still, with no signs of starting back up.

According to poker blogs Wickedchopspoker.com and Pokerati.com, High Stakes Poker has yet to be picked up for a new season, nor does it have immediate plans to film new episodes.

Pokerati.com obtained the following quote from High Stakes Poker co-host A.J. Benza:

"Far as Gabe {Kaplan} and I know... the show isnt coming back. Apparently... the network is going to go in a different direction and that aint good news for our show, especially since we skew a higher-aged audiuence. Never mind that we're the network's No. 1 show."

The different direction Benza talks about seems to be new GSN CEO David Goldhill's desire to steer away from casino themed programs. Former GSN CEO Rich Cronin was a big proponent of gambling programs on the network.

This deal could also effect the World Poker Tour. GSN's deal with WPTE expires May 24 and GSN has the option not to extend the contract.

High Stakes Poker has been GSN's highest rated program since debuting in January of 2006. The biggest names in poker would put up a minimum of $100,000 of their own money, playing for pots of nearly $1 million at times. The program is produced by Poker PROductions, which also produces Poker After Dark and the NBC National Heads-Up Poker Championship.

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