Sport1 to replace US sports channel with esports service

German sports broadcaster Sport1 has said it will close its dedicated US sports channel to make way for a new platform for esports.

Sport1 announced yesterday (Wednesday) that it would launch the eSports1 channel in Germany, Austria and Switzerland on January 24.

The channel will be the first linear television platform for esports in the three markets, but Sport1 has now told the Broadband TV News website that it will replace Sport1 US.

“eSports1 will take over the place of Sport1 US from January 24 and, alongside Sport1+, will form the second pillar of Sport1’s pay-TV offer,” a Sport1 spokesman said.

“However, US sports will remain an important part of our pay-TV line-up. With the NBA and NHL, the two previous programme highlights from Sport1 US will be broadcast live on Sport1+ from the end of January.”