Esports

UK public-service broadcaster the BBC has entered into a partnership with Gfinity, through which it will showcase the esports company’s Elite Series competition.

The Ligue de Football Professionnel, which operates the French football league, has renewed rights deals with pay-television broadcaster beIN Sports and online media company Webedia for coverage of e-Ligue 1, a nationwide esports competition.

Twitch’s deal with game developer Activision Blizzard last month is the latest indication the live-streaming platform and its rivals are now seeking esports rights on an exclusive basis.

International sports broadcaster Eleven Sports Network has agreed a rights deal with esports company Gfinity for its Elite Series gaming competition.

Indian pay-television broadcaster DSport has acquired rights for the ESL India Premiership esports competition.

The Vodafone España division of the telecommunications company has launched a new esports channel on digital platform Twitch.

Social video platform Twitch has agreed a two-year global partnership with game developer and publisher Blizzard Entertainment that includes third-party live streaming rights to select Blizzard esports content.

The NBC Sports Group division of US media company NBCUniversal has made its first major entry into esports by partnering with online competitive gaming platform FACEIT and games developer Psyonix to launch a new tournament.

Social media company Twitter has reached an agreement with video games developer Riot Games Oceania to stream live coverage of the upcoming League of Legends: League of Origin esports event.

Social media platform Facebook has moved to step up its esports coverage by enhancing its partnership with the ESL organisation.

German sports broadcaster Sport1 has agreed a deal with video game developer EA Sports to stream live coverage of the Fifa 17 Ultimate Team Championship Series esports competition.

The ESL esports league has agreed a deal to be shown on flights operated by the Emirates Airline.

Social video platform Twitch has signed a long-term extension to its streaming partnership with esports outfit Team Liquid.

Turkish media group Saran Media has acquired domestic rights to League of Legends esports events.

Esports franchise Team Dignitas has agreed a streaming deal with social media platform Facebook.

Spanish agency Mediapro will invest more in esports after hailing 2016 as its “best ever year.”