YouTube ventures into the e-sports realm through a streaming agreement with FACEIT.
In a significant move for the esports industry, YouTube has entered into a long-term agreement with esports platform FACEIT, expanding its presence in the world of competitive gaming. This partnership comes after the E-sports Championship Series (ECS), which previously streamed on Amazon.com's Twitch, announced that its third season, featuring "Counter-Strike: Global Offensive", will stream exclusively on YouTube beginning March 25.
FACEIT, one of the largest esports platforms in the world, has been a significant player in the esports streaming market, having partnered with Twitch in the past. The collaboration between FACEIT and Twitch started last year and streamed the league's first two seasons.
YouTube's partnership with FACEIT is not just about streaming events. The esports platform organizes major tournaments such as the FACEIT X Games Rocket League Invitational, which is broadcast on platforms including YouTube Live, indicating that YouTube serves as a key streaming outlet for FACEIT events. This relationship helps expand accessibility and audience reach for esports content by leveraging YouTube’s massive global user base and streaming infrastructure.
Moreover, FACEIT is part of the ESL FACEIT Group (EFG), which recently entered a multi-year partnership with esports data and technology provider GRID. This partnership enhances broadcast quality, data integration, and fan experience, improvements highly relevant to streaming platforms like YouTube that host these events.
The revenue from esports is estimated to rise by 41% to $696 million in 2017. Traditional media and videogame manufacturers are still competing for a stake in the esports market, and this partnership between YouTube and FACEIT is a strategic move to secure a larger piece of the growing pie.
Advertising and sponsorship packages on YouTube will be available for the ECS, offering brands an opportunity to tap into the growing esports audience. Michele Attisani, co-founder of FACEIT, commented that the opportunity to join forces with YouTube was unique, highlighting the potential for growth and reach that this partnership brings.
With the number of esports viewers projected to increase to 385 million until the end of the year, the esports market is set to continue its rapid growth. The collaboration between FACEIT and YouTube strengthens the esports market by increasing fan reach, improving content quality, and supporting commercial growth through enhanced live data and media partnerships tied to FACEIT events.
In summary, YouTube's partnership with FACEIT is a significant step forward for the esports streaming market. By leveraging FACEIT's expertise in organizing and broadcasting esports events, YouTube is poised to capture a larger share of the growing esports audience. The partnership also benefits from FACEIT's technical and data partnerships with companies like GRID, improving event data delivery and viewer engagement, and enhancing the overall quality of the broadcasts. The esports market is set to continue its growth, and this partnership between YouTube and FACEIT is a testament to the industry's potential and the increasing recognition of esports as a legitimate and profitable niche in live events.
- As YouTube continues to expand its presence in the esports world, they are not only streaming events but also collaborating with FACEIT to enhance the quality of their broadcasts, leveraging FACEIT's partnership with esports data and technology provider GRID.
- The integration of technology, such as the partnership between FACEIT and GRID, plays a crucial role in improving the broadcast quality, data integration, and fan experience for esports events streamed on platforms like YouTube Live.
