ESPN2 is attempting to adapt to programming without sports being played, and the network will be airing esports coverage in order to entertain viewers. The esports coverage will air on April 5th at 12 PM eastern time, and it will span a total of 12 hours. Some of the competitions will feature game titles like Rocket League, NBA 2K, and Madden NFL 20, and Apex Legends.
The esports coverage shows that the network is adapting to the rapidly changing environment, where conventional sports competitions cannot be played. Additionally, airing esports can serve as a test to see if viewer engagement could last under normal circumstances, as esports continues to grow exponentially in its popularity.
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Why This Trend Is Growing
- Esports Mainstreaming
- With mainstream media outlets like ESPN2 airing eSports, there's an opportunity for disruptive innovation in creating more accessible and widely accepted eSports platforms for casual fans.
- Hybrid Sports Entertainment
- Esports can be paired with traditional sports broadcasting to create a hybrid viewing experience that attracts younger audiences, presenting opportunities for innovating event presentation and media convergence models.
- Competition Diversity
- There's an opportunity for innovation in the creation of more diverse competitions to attract a wider and more inclusive player and fanbase for eSports.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Media Broadcasting
- Media broadcasting companies can take advantage of broadcasting eSports while sports events are on pause to usher in a new era in sports entertainment and increase revenue opportunities.
- Video Gaming
- Esports is a growing industry that presents video game companies with opportunities for innovation in game development, formats, and platforms to provide more accessible, engaging, and competitive gameplay experiences.
- Sports Marketing
- Esports presents a marketing opportunity for traditional sports teams and companies to diversify and attract younger audiences through sponsorships, creating new marketing avenues and revenue streams.
