UPDATED 21:59 EST / APRIL 27 2016

NEWS

ESL launches its own 24/7 esports satellite channel

The Electronic Sports League (ESL) has announced that it will be launching its own esports-focused satellite channel, appropriately named esportsTV, which will finally provide esports fans with a more large scale platform that does not force them to interact with the Twitch community.

To launch the new channel, ESL is teaming up with Swedish multimedia entertainment corporation Modern Times Group MTG AB, which boasts that it provides “multi-screen and multi-platform access to best television, film, sports, eSports and social media stars.”

The channel is set to launch in May on MTG’s Viasat platforms and will offer broadcasts of all of ESL’s major tournaments and competitions.

“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” Ralf Reichert, ESL’s Managing Director, said in a statement.” 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.”

“This is fantastic because it will bring esports to an even broader global audience,” added Arnd Benninghoff, CEO of MTGx, and Peter Nørrelund, CEO of MTG Sport. “Esports is a global sport played all year round so there is so much content to share. The channel is all about building awareness and growing the gaming community and fanbase. We have seen an explosion of interest in esports and we want to make more and more content available on as many screens as possible.”

ESL said that its new esports channel will operate alongside its existing partnerships with live streaming services like Twitch and Azubu, but it it not currently clear whether or not ESL will reserve exclusive content for its own platform that would not be available on other platforms. The organization said that it would be revealing more information about esportsTV in the weeks leading up to launch.

photo credit: IMG_0331 via photopin (license)

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