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ESPN’s DotA 2 viewer numbers were strong

Sports channel network, ESPN, has said it's looking into broadcasting more eSports tournaments in the future, after the viewer numbers for its coverage of the DotA 2 International 2014 were impressively strong, exceeding all expectations. Unfortunately we don't have hard numbers, but it's thought likely that ESPN will be pushing for more than just web coverage in the future.

ESPN's recent broadcast of The International 2014 gave the competition full coverage on EPSN 3 online, while also broadcasting a special, one-off documentary on the game on ESPN 2. Some regular fans of the service were angered by the move, suggesting that that eSport wasn't comparable with traditional sports. Clearly most viewers felt differently however, as ESPN is said to be “delighted,” with how it turned out.

dota2

“ESPN have seen enough recent successes with esports and are about to double down.The numbers they hit with The International have only cemented the view that the time is right,” said DailyDot‘s source.

They also revealed that surprisingly, considering the PC-only nature of the game, that the most popular viewing platform was on the Xbox.

“[ESPN is] in advanced talks to bring that product to both ESPN web properties as well as their TV stations, and they are in the preliminary stages of looking at other games,” the source said. They wouldn't be drawn on what games specifically, but theoretically there could be coverage of something like Starcraft II, perhaps League of Legends or another of the various MOBAs out there.

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KitGuru Says: Good to see more avenues appearing for people to watch Esports. It makes it all the easier to see the latest big games. 

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5 comments

  1. The fact that lots of people watched it using the Xbox just means they’re real gamers.
    The ‘PC Master Race’ people are not gamers, they’re narrow minded elitists.
    I’m glad the event went well.

  2. hahahahaha, I see that you know not so much about gaming…. So, tell me, please, if you can, how did the gaming start? How did it spread? Which system has THE biggest amount of titles? How about the brodades genre choice? Learn your stuff before you speak. PC is not elitist, it is just simply better. More titles, more choice, better gameplay, better graphics and performance, etc. etc etc.

  3. People like you are the exact thing I’m on about…
    Yes, PC’s can handle higher graphics
    Yes, PC gaming has been ahead of the curve
    Yes, you can do more with a PC than a console
    PC’s tend to spearhead the next generation of gaming styles like F2P, Indie and Early Access.
    But, PC’s also cost more to both buy and run, have shorter upgrade cycles and are less accessible in the lounge. They’re also louder and run hotter in most cases
    Some games play better with a controller and work better on a large screen.
    Consoles are more ‘Plug and Play’ than PC’s.
    I never said it was a level playing field.
    For me it goes PC>PS4>XBone>WiiU
    But just because someone chooses to play Dishonored or BF4 on a console instead of a PC doesn’t make them less of a gamer.
    also, just because Gaming started on PC, doesn’t make it the best, that’s like saying Mercedes Benz make the best cars because it’s founder made the first car.

  4. “People like you are the exact thing I’m on about…”
    ~
    Shut the fuck up -___________-

    “They also louder and hotter in most cases”.
    ~
    Are you fucking kidding…?

    “Less adjustable in the lounge”.
    ~
    Why would you sit in a room with the sun pouring in. Why do you even feel the need to “adjust” your console anyway…?

    “Some games play better with a controller and work better on a large screen.”
    ~
    *Sarcastic voice* Did you know that you can use ANY controller that you fucking want with a PC. OHMERGAWD :O Xbox contoller, Dualshock 3, Dualshock 4, Gamecube controller, THE FUCKING WII REMOTE AND NUNCHUCK, you can use them. and you can connect multiple screen to a PC. OHMERGAWD. They can also be BIG screens like the size of your TV OH-MER-GAWD.

    “But, PC’s also cost more to both buy and run, have shorter upgrade cycles”
    ~
    Yes, i’d rather pay £60 for every game instead of free/dirt cheap prices.
    Upgrades happen every 4-5 years, and they are optional :o.

    DID YOU KNOW: you can also build a PC which OUTPERFORMS and is CHEAPER and QUIETER than an Xbox One. WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT?!

  5. Jeffrey Gullion

    You do realize anyone with a XBL Gold subscription gets ESPN through XBL.. so those people who own a console and don’t have cable TV, can watch ESPN. Funny how you call people “real gamers” when the game they were watching was a PC game.