ESL enters Israeli market with Gaming Channel partnership

Esports tournament organiser ESL Gaming has granted exclusive media rights in Israel to The Gaming Channel.

For the remainder of 2021, The Gaming Channel will broadcast select ESL Pro Tour CS:GO tournaments and ESL Mobile content in Hebrew — a first for ESL Gaming content.

The Gaming Channel
Image credit: ESL Gaming

RELATED: ESL signs exclusive media rights deal with G4

The agreement includes the rights to broadcast IEM Cologne 2021, ESL Pro League Season 14, IEM Fall and ESL National Championships Global Playoffs. In addition, The Gaming Channel will be granted the full rights to broadcast two tournaments from ESL Mobile: PUBG Mobile EU and ESL Mobile: Clash of Clans EU.

In addition to linear TV, the Israeli network has obtained rights for digital and VOD broadcasts, also in Hebrew.

Frank Uddo, Senior Vice President of Media Rights at ESL Gaming, commented: “We are thrilled to partner with The Gaming Channel and to thereby offer the esports community in Israel localised broadcasts of some of the world’s biggest esports competitions. We are looking forward to this new partnership with The Gaming Channel and further expanding our local reach.”

RELATED: ESL Gaming unveils partnership with Coinbase

[primis_video widget=”5183″]

Yoav Sochen, General Manager for the Gaming Channel, added: “Our partnership with ESL is a huge step for esports fans in Israel. “For the first time ever, Israeli gamers will have the opportunity to enjoy some of the world’s biggest events in Hebrew, on their TV. The esports scene in Israel is growing fast, and we can’t wait to see how ESL will help shape the next generation of competitive gamers in Israel.”

Esports Insider says: ESL is gearing up for maximum viewership this year, taking advantage of increased interest during the pandemic as well as new regions and channels. The video game industry in Israel is still fledgling, but the country’s technological abilities definitely make it a region to keep an eye on. Israel’s youth find ways to engage in esports content through organisations like Lost Tribe Esports and The Gaming Channel, the latter of which just launched in July.

ESI Podcasts | Digest, Focus, Insight