A report by the Esports Observer states that Activision Blizzard is looking to get a television deal for the Overwatch League. Reportedly, several television networks have shown interest in such a deal.
Due to the coronavirus, most live sports are on hold for the time being. This means that there is plenty of air time for television channels to air the Overwatch League matches. Activision Blizzard previously had a deal with ABC/ESPN for the league, but it ended at the end of last season.
Activision Blizzard continues to talk to networks in hopes that they will be able to find time to air the Overwatch League during the coronavirus pandemic. Sports networks such as NBC Sports Group and ESPN seem to be the most likely candidates for such a deal.
Overwatch League matches continue despite the coronavirus
Despite the coronavirus pandemic, Overwatch League matches are still being played online. The league has canceled all its Homestands, but players can still play from the safety of their homes over the internet.
The league played their games last weekend online like this. While there were some technical difficulties and schedule changes, the broadcast was mostly smooth and easy to watch. The desk also broadcast from their homes over the internet.
During a time when there are hours of free time on sports networks, this deal is something that should be beneficial for both parties. A deal like this could also help esports in general in the future. If it’s successful, more esports are likely to search for big television deals.
Nothing is official yet, so be sure to stay tuned for more information on this deal and others. Currently, the Overwatch League streams live exclusively on YouTube thanks to a deal Activision Blizzard made with Google at the start of the 2020 season.
