Interactive entertainment company Activision Blizzard has revealed plans to revamp its MLG.tv esports streaming service and has signed an enhanced partnership with social media platform Facebook.
Activision Blizzard, regarded as the world’s biggest video game publisher, unveiled the launch of new content, broadcast experiences and distribution partnerships for MLG.tv at an event held yesterday (Thursday).
The company will launch these new features during the MLG Anaheim Open, a two-day Call of Duty: Black Ops III tournament set to start on June 10. The MLG Anaheim Open will also be the inaugural event a deeper collaboration with Facebook. The partnership will allow MLG.tv to broadcast live competitions and deliver content to Facebook users.
MLG.tv also debuted its Enhanced Viewing Experience at the event, a high-definition video stream with a built-in algorithmic system that provides viewers with match statistics, up-to-the-minute leaderboards, and situational insights based on the competition they are watching.
Mike Sepso, senior vice-president of Activision Blizzard Media Networks, said: “The size of our digital network, coupled with our insights into this audience’s viewing habits, put us in a unique position to educate the advertising industry on how to safely target these viewers and reach them on their platform of choice.”
Dan Reed, head of global sports partnerships for Facebook, added: “Esports is an exciting space and continues to be a growing priority for us. With over 1.6 billion people on the platform and a growing suite of VOD and live streaming products that partners can use to increase engagement, Facebook is uniquely positioned to help esports fans connect around exciting moments and great esports content.”
Activision Blizzard in January acquired the business of Major League Gaming, a leader in the creation and streaming of premium live esports events, organising professional competitions and running competitive gaming leagues.
The takeover, worth a reported $46m (€42.4m), expanded Activision Blizzard’s reach across the esports market by adding live streaming capabilities and technologies to the Activision Blizzard Media Networks division.