Facebook joins the eSports arena.
Facebook plans to start streaming eSports competitions on its video platform "Facebook Live" from June 2017. This partnership between the US company and the Electronic Sports League (ESL) will provide 5,500 hours of eSports content, with 1,500 of them being exclusive to Facebook Live. Could this help Facebook compete with major portals like Twitch.tv?
Most of the broadcasts will feature CS:GO-related content, including the ESL One in Cologne in July 2017, a major tournament in the professionals' calendar. A weekly special show featuring interviews with top players and the latest news from the scene is also in the works.
Facebook is the largest social network with around 1.9 billion active users per month. However, it's not yet a well-known name in the video streaming arena. While Facebook Live was launched in 2015, it only became available to all users in early 2016. Facebook has not yet made a significant impact on the popular game streaming industry, which is dominated by Twitch.tv (now part of Amazon), YouTube, and Twitter.
Despite its massive user base, Facebook may be a major player in eSports streaming. Its potential to reach a wider audience unfamiliar with specialized gaming sites like Twitch.tv is a significant advantage. This partnership benefits the ESL, as tournaments will see a significant increase in media exposure, potentially leading to higher ad revenue and better sponsorship deals. However, the ESL won't be completely leaving Twitch.tv; the majority of its content will still be shown there to avoid losing viewers.
eSports are no longer a niche interest. Major bookmakers have set up betting markets for eSports, and the tournaments have become popular spectator events. The popularity of professional gaming is apparent in large, packed arenas, and Twitch.tv reports around 100 million viewers over a 10-month period, with an average age of 21. This young audience is attractive to advertisers as they are difficult to reach through traditional media. The gambling industry also recognizes eSports' potential, with betting providers like Lottoland offering markets for eSports games.
Johannes Schiefer, a member of the ESL's social media team, views the Facebook agreement as a boost for the league's online presence:
"With over 1.94 billion monthly active users on Facebook, this is a significant step towards increasing the visibility of eSports among mainstream viewers. Last year, ESL content generated over 2 billion impressions and reached more than 200 million users worldwide through Facebook. Now, we will be streaming all major ESL events, as well as exclusive content on CS:GO and ESEA. We are excited about the prospect of increasing our reach and fostering local communities of passionate eSports fans."
The eSports trend is growing, and Facebook's integration could attract a broader audience, making eSports even more mainstream than before. The network's enormous reach could significantly impact people's interest in eSports competitions.
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