NEW YORK: ESL, the world’s largest independent eSports company announced Tuesday that all its global competitions will be live streamed by Facebook’s gaming arm, yet it will have the freedom to choose other platforms to broadcast some of their marquee or popular events.
The idea stems from the ESL’s wish to expand its audiences globally. Facebook will continue to gain from the partnership as the ESL has increased the number of events to be broadcast on their platform which includes its flagship circuit events such as Intel Extreme Masters (IEM) and ESL One, as well as the premier professional Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) Pro League, in English. On the other hand, ESL Pro League live streams will be available in both English and Portuguese.
“ESL brings together a global community of eSports fans and aims to deliver amazing eSports experiences to audiences around the world, both online and through large scale events,” ESL co-CEO Ralf Reichert said.
“ESL will be providing multiple sources in which fans can experience our flagship circuits online — including a return to Facebook Gaming to continue bringing content to its rapidly growing audience.”
“Expanding ESL content to include all global eSports competitions is a way for us to satisfy the growing appetite for watching gaming video content on Facebook,” Facebook global head of gaming partnerships Leo Olebe added.
“Providing ESL fans a way to watch eSports on multiple platforms is something we know the community cares about, and that’s a big reason why all 2019 content will broadcast anywhere ESL chooses to stream. We’ll continue to listen and act on feedback from gamers as we work together in building the world’s gaming community.”
