Sport1 bolsters esports channel’s content with Blizzard deal

German sports broadcaster Sport1 has added further content for its new esports channel by agreeing a two-year rights deal with US video game developer and events organiser Blizzard Entertainment.

Under the deal, eSports1 will provide live coverage and highlights of Blizzard properties including the Overwatch League, Hearthstone eSports and the Overwatch World Cup.

The new platform launched on January 24 as the first linear television channel for esports in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Also providing live streaming via its own app, eSports1’s content portfolio includes League of Legends, Dota 2, Counter-Strike and Fifa 19.

Jaime Pollack, vice-president of business development and media rights at Activision Blizzard Esports Leagues, said: “Germany has always been a top market for Blizzard games, so it’s exciting to be working with Sport1.

“Fitting in with the new channel is perfect for our goal to increase reach and make the Overwatch League and Hearthstone eSports more accessible to German fans.”