Considering how The CW, ESPN and TBS have been working to bring more eSports events to television, it was only a matter of time before a company came up with creating an eSports-devoted channel, which is exactly what ESL is doing.
The company, which has specialized on online programming for years, will launch a 24/7 eSports channel next month. Titled eSports TV, the channel will make its debut on MTG’s Viasat platforms in the Nordic and Baltic countries this May, but it won’t stop there. ESL is working to bring the channel to other distributors and platforms in other regions of the world, according to GamesIndustry International.
The focus of the channel will be on core competitions and tournaments, as eSports TV is set to offer more than 2,000 live hours of content. “ESports TV will add to ESL’s current audience of over 100 million digital viewers,” said the company in a statement. “The launch of eSports TV and its distribution on new channels will tap into the audience of more than two billion gamers and 250 million eSports fans that the industry will have by the end of the year.
This will not affect current partnerships that the company has with others, including Twitch, Azubu, Hitbox and Yahoo, as ESL will continue to support their eSports endeavours.
“We have always dreamt of making eSports the world’s most popular sport, and it’s the opportunities like this one that bring us one step closer to making that dream come true,” said ESL’s managing director, Ralf Reichert. “Bringing new and existing content to more screens worldwide is key to further accelerating the growth and popularity of eSports, and we’re on a mission to reach every gamer in the world.”
