Twitch strikes late deal for Overwatch League coverage

Social video platform Twitch has sealed a rights deal with the Overwatch League to show the next two seasons of the esports competition.

Twitch, which has been a key platform for esports coverage, will start showing coverage of the league today (Wednesday), with the deal running until the end of 2019.

The first match of the new league will be shown via the Twitch.tv/overwatchleague page.

Excluding China, Twitch will provide exclusive worldwide coverage of the league’s regular-season campaign, play-offs and championship matches. Coverage will be available with English, Korean and French commentary.

The agreement was reached between Twitch and Activision Blizzard, which operates the league.

The Overwatch League is the first major global professional esports league with city-based teams across Asia, Europe and North America.

The first season of the league will run until June, with play-offs and finals scheduled for July. All matches will take place at Blizzard Arena Los Angeles for the first season.

As part of the coverage on Twitch, regular viewers will be rewarded with in-game items, including content that will be exclusive for a period of time, Activision Blizzard said.