ESL Gaming secures Czech and Slovakian broadcasting deal with PLAYzone

12 August 2021

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Tournament organiser ESL Gaming has secured a broadcasting partnership with esports events company PLAYzone.

As a result of the agreement, PLAYzone, which is part of the Czech TV station FTV Prima Group, has gained exclusive rights to broadcast the ESL CS:GO Pro Tour in both Czech and Slovak.

ESL Gaming, PLAYzone
Image credit: ESL Gaming, PLAYzone

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The partnership kicks off with ESL Pro League Season 14 and the competitions will be aired via PLAYzone’s digital channels. In total, the company has been given rights for eleven ESL CS:GO Pro Tour competitions, including IEM Katowice 2022 and IEM Cologne 2022.

According to the release, the partnership will also see the winner of PLAYzone’s regional CS:GO competitions receive a slot in one of the ESL National Championships Global Playoffs in 2022. 

Frank Uddo, Senior Vice President Global Media at ESL Gaming, commented: “With a Czech team like SINNERS rising in the rankings, esports is rapidly growing in popularity in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, and we are therefore delighted to join forces with a true leader in esports like PLAYzone.

“It is great that with this partnership we not only expand our reach, but that we can also offer our local fans the best possible opportunity to cheer for their favourites and to enjoy our tournaments.”

Over the last 12 months, ESL has secured partnerships with the likes of Coinbase, Monster Energy, and paysafecard. Moreover, the company also announced a media rights deal with The Gaming Channel for Israeli coverage.

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Lukáš Pleskot, Executive Director of PLAYzone, added: “PLAYzone has been shaping the local esports market for a long time, and it is close cooperation and integration with global leaders that is one of the basic pillars of our strategy, which moves us and the entire market to a higher level. 

“A direct connection with the world’s largest esports organizer allows Czech teams to regularly measure their strengths with the best and gain valuable experience. At the same time, we can engage viewers into the most prestigious competitions in the world.”

Esports Insider says: Providing more language-specific broadcasts will undoubtedly attract more viewers to ESL’s product, particularly if the broadcast is tailored to regional audiences. Alongside its deal with Israeli firm The Gaming Channel, this is smart moves by ESL Gaming.

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