BY TOM SOMACH

The World Poker Tour (WPT), which has been televised by the Travel Channel for the last five years, has a new TV home–the Game Show Network (GSN).

WPT and GSN officials announced this week that they’ve signed a one-year deal worth about $7 million for the American cable television channel to televise almost two dozen episodes of tour events, starting in early 2008.

“We are thrilled to be able to bring the World Poker Tour to GSN,” said GSN president Rich Cronin in a statement released to news media.

“By adding WPT to our existing lineup of compelling gaming entertainment, GSN will be at the head of the poker table,” he added.

According to published reports, GSN will carry 23 two-hour segments at a base cost of about $300,000 each, plus bonuses of up to $35,000 per episode based on rating levels.

GSN also got an option for two more years of WPT coverage, the reports said.

As for the switch, GSN appears to be a better fit for the WPT than the Travel Channel.

The Travel Channel’s programming mostly features travel documentaries, with little connection to poker other than occasional pieces about Las Vegas that mention gambling.

GSN’s programming is mostly reruns of old TV games shows, including some that feature gambling themes.

(E-mail Tom Somach at tomsomach@yahoo.com.)