Twitter has today announced that it has partnered with both ESL and DreamHack, to live stream esports events and original content in 2017.
More than 15 events in the ESL One, Intel® Extreme Masters (IEM) and DreamHack circuits will be live streamed globally on Twitter and connected devices.
Anthony Noto, COO at Twitter commented: “Esports is growing at a rapid pace and we see this collaboration as a way to tap into the engaged audience of gamers that are already using Twitter as a primary source of content.
“By partnering with the leading esports companies like ESL and DreamHack, we look forward to bringing the best of esports live video and conversation together on Twitter.”
The remainder of Katowice will be the first tournament to be live streamed on Twitter as a part of the arrangement. ESL will also produce live original content for Twitter. This will include a weekly 30-minute show featuring ‘highlights and behind-the-scenes footage’. Coverage of DreamHack on Twitter will begin with Austin in April.
Johannes Schiefer, Vice President Social Media & Editorial at ESL noted: “Esports fans are endemic to digital and this partnership with Twitter expands ESL’s reach for all of our major tournaments for fans around the globe. Intel Extreme Masters Katowice is our most anticipated live event, and we are excited to bring premier content from this tournament and beyond to more fans in a premium experience.”
Marcus Lindmark, CEO & President at DreamHack added: “Twitter is a very strong esports platform, where many of our fans and followers already engage with DreamHack events. This will be a shortcut for fans, as they can both watch and engage on the platform at the same time.”
The live content on Twitter will commence March 4th and it’ll be available globally at esl.twitter.com, iem.twitter.com, and dreamhack.twitter.com. The live streams on Twitter will also include advertising packages with TV style ad spots combined with original highlight and recap clips that advertisers can sponsor and promote on the platform.
Esports Insider says: We’ve been wondering whether Twitter will make moves into esports with social media frenemy Facebook investing quite heavily into the space. Esports already generates a lot of discussion and debate on the platform, so this deal with ESL and DreamHack makes sense. Let’s see how they pull it off.