Twitter has new deals with e-sports companies ESL and DreamHack to livestream e-sports events and original content in 2017.
The companies are planning to livestream more than 15 events in the ESL One, Intel Extreme Masters (IEM) and DreamHack circuits. The live content will debut on March 4 and the livestreams on Twitter will include advertising packages with TV style ad spots combined with original highlight and recap clips that advertisers can sponsor and promote on Twitter, according to a news release.
In addition to the Intel Extreme Masters and ESL One tournament content, ESL will produce a weekly 30-minute show featuring highlights and behind-the-scenes footage. DreamHack livestreams will begin with DreamHack Austin in April.
"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," said Anthony Noto, COO at Twitter, in a statement. "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."
"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," said Johannes Schiefer, vice president of social media & editorial at ESL, in a statement. "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."
"This will be a shortcut for fans, as they can both watch and engage on the platform at the same time," said Marcus Lindmark, CEO and president at DreamHack, in a statement.
RELATED: Twitter signs deal to livestream awards shows' red carpet
Twitter has been busy signing livestreaming deals with a variety of content partners since coming off its first season of livestreaming NFL games. In addition to the recent announcement of its expanded partnership with the PGA, Twitter also recently announced deals to stream live red carpet specials from multiple award shows.
"Twitter is where conversations about award shows happen live," said Noto in a statement. "After a successful collaboration with the Hollywood Foreign Press Association and Dick Clark Productions on our exclusive Golden Globes red carpet show, we're excited to partner again with DCP to bring more live programming to Twitter."