First 24-hour eSports Channel to Launch in Canada

Strategic deal between Canada’s Super Channel & global broadcaster GINX eSportsTV will bring the world of competitive video games and live tournament coverage to television and on-demand audiences

Premium Canadian broadcaster Super Channel and leading international entertainment provider GINX eSportsTV have signed an exclusive deal to create and distribute a new 24-hour channel for video game fans.

The new eSports channel will target millions of gaming enthusiasts and players in Canada and feature live eSports events, news and gaming lifestyle programming.

“This exciting new venture allows us to welcome Canadian viewers into the fast growing international ‘realm’ of GINX eSportsTV. Together with Super Channel we have the right combination of reach, relationships and local programming to create a channel that will bring the best of global eSports to Canada and equally to enrich our international channels with programming from the vibrant Canadian eSports community,” said GINX eSportsTV CEO Michiel Bakker. “Canada has long been in our sights. It consistently represents a global top 10 eSports nation and is home to great eSports competitions and competitors. We are over the moon to soon be able to reach out to them.”

This new eSports channel will be part of Super Channel’s four multiplexed channels and will launch across Canada in the spring/summer of 2017. At launch, the channel will be instantly available to all Super Channel subscribers as part of their existing package, and new customers can also subscribe to the new 24-hour eSports programming available on Super Channel through their cable, satellite and IPTV provider.

“We are striving to provide unique and relevant entertainment for all members of the household on all devices – and eSports is now a key part of this mix,” said Super Channel COO, Don McDonald. “Our new venture with GINX allows us to provide Canadian viewers with world-class eSports TV, including the shows, events and hosts already enjoyed the world-over. It also provides the Canadian production community with an excellent opportunity to create new eSports content, to be seen on Super Channel and potentially distributed around the world through GINX world wide.”

The current value of today’s eSports marketplace is about 1B $USD and counts more than 250M fans. 2016 saw record-setting growth in eSports with $276M in prize money awarded to pro-gamers and about 20,000 tournaments hosted around the world for players and fans to enjoy and promote. All this bodes well for broadcasters who want to stake an early claim in the eSports arena and pursue new strategic deals and growth.

The GINX/Super Channel deal was brought together by FanTrust Entertainment Strategies president Catherine Warren, a consultant to both companies, who announced the news today at the ESports BAR global marketplace event in Cannes, France. The relationship is the first of its kind for both companies. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Written by
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