Overwatch League 2023 Season Won’t be Broadcast in China

Key insights

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Key development

The Overwatch League will not be broadcast in China for the 2023 season.

The absence of official game approval for Overwatch in China prevents related competition streaming.

Main reason. The Overwatch League will not be broadcast in China for the 2023 season due to the termination of the partnership between Activision Blizzard and NetEase.

Consumer advocacy

The China Consumer Association has criticized Activision Blizzard for violating virtual property rights.

The criticism stems from the closure of Chinese game servers for titles like Overwatch, Hearthstone, and StarCraft II.

Consumer concern. The China Consumer Association has publicly criticized Activision Blizzard, stating that the closure of Chinese game servers violates the virtual property rights of local consumers.

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Summary

The 2023 Overwatch League season will not be broadcast in China, marking a significant shift in the league’s regional accessibility. This development stems from the termination of the partnership between Activision Blizzard and NetEase, which resulted in the loss of official game approval for Overwatch within the Chinese market. Without this regulatory authorization, the league is prohibited from being streamed or co-streamed on Chinese live-streaming platforms.

The cessation of these broadcasts highlights the broader consequences of the high-profile dissolution of the Activision Blizzard and NetEase partnership. While some unapproved games have historically maintained a presence in China through government leniency, the visibility of this corporate split has led to strict enforcement of broadcasting policies. The situation has created uncertainty for Chinese Overwatch League teams, including the Guangzhou Charge, Chengdu Hunters, Hangzhou Spark, and Shanghai Dragons, which are currently evaluating their options, including the potential relocation of operations to South Korea.

Beyond the impact on professional esports, the shutdown of Chinese servers for titles such as Overwatch, Hearthstone, and StarCraft II has drawn criticism from the China Consumer Association. The organization has raised concerns regarding the loss of virtual property, noting that the server closures infringe upon the rights of gaming consumers. While individual players may still stream Activision Blizzard titles, the lack of official league support and the regulatory environment present substantial challenges for the future of the Overwatch League in the region.