The world's largest eSports community, ESL, and Hulu, have announced a partnership which will bring four new original series to the on-demand streaming platform.
The content of the new shows surround the world of competitive video gaming, which is currently one of the fastest growing areas in media and entertainment. The new shows are comprised of 15 hours of content, and feature a gamified debate show, a weekly docu-series following a fictional team 'The Immortals,' a 'defining moments' highlight reel, and 'ESL Replay' which will recap the week in eSports.
Lisa Holme, Hulu's VP of content acquisition noted that the majority of Hulu users access the channels through a video game console, adding that those users are "hungry for this type of content."
Competitive eSports Television Shows
ESL and Hulu Will Produce Four Online Gaming-Based TV Shows
Trend Themes
1. Growing Esports Content - The partnership between ESL and Hulu to produce eSports TV shows demonstrates the increasing demand for gaming-related content in the media and entertainment industry.
2. Mainstreaming Competitive Gaming - The collaboration between ESL and Hulu signifies the rising popularity and mainstream acceptance of competitive video gaming as a legitimate form of entertainment.
3. Gamification of Television - The gamified debate show in ESL and Hulu's new series highlights the trend of incorporating interactive elements into traditional television formats.
Industry Implications
1. Media and Entertainment - The ESL and Hulu partnership presents opportunities for media and entertainment companies to capitalize on the growing eSports market by creating engaging and original gaming content.
2. Gaming and Esports - The collaboration between ESL and Hulu opens up possibilities for gaming and eSports companies to explore partnerships with streaming platforms to reach a wider audience and promote the competitive gaming scene.
3. Technology and Gaming Consoles - The fact that Hulu users primarily access the platform through gaming consoles suggests a potential collaboration between streaming services and console manufacturers to enhance the gaming experience and offer dedicated eSports content.