Star Sports Network Secures Esports World Cup Media Rights

Key insights

6 takeaways

01
Star Sports Network, a subsidiary of Disney India, has secured the exclusive broadcasting rights for the Esports World Cup in India.
02
The Esports World Cup is a multi-week, multi-discipline tournament taking place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, running from July 3 to August 25, 2024.
03
Financial terms of the media rights agreement between Star Sports Network and the Esports World Cup Foundation were not disclosed.
04
The event is facilitated by the ESL FACEIT Group, a subsidiary of the Saudi government-owned Savvy Games Group.
05
Disney Star aims to use the broadcast to expand its audience, specifically targeting younger demographics and non-gamers to increase the acceptance of esports in India.
06
The tournament features various competitive titles including Call of Duty: Warzone, Dota 2 (Riyadh Masters), League of Legends, and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (ML:BB).

Summary

Star Sports Network, a subsidiary of Disney Star, has secured the exclusive media rights to broadcast the Esports World Cup within India. This partnership aims to leverage the country’s growing gaming culture and capitalize on the increasing popularity of competitive esports. While the financial terms of the agreement remain undisclosed, the deal represents a strategic effort by the network to expand its audience base and engage younger demographics by integrating high-profile global esports content into its existing sports programming portfolio.

The Esports World Cup is a multi-week, multi-discipline tournament held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, running from July 3 to August 25, 2024. The event is funded by the Saudi Arabian government and facilitated by the ESL FACEIT Group, a subsidiary of the Savvy Games Group. The competition features a diverse array of titles, including Call of Duty: Warzone, Dota 2, League of Legends, and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, drawing participation from numerous international professional teams.

Disney Star views this acquisition as a significant opportunity to foster broader acceptance of esports among non-gamers and dedicated enthusiasts alike. By broadcasting world-class competitions, the network intends to build upon the success of previous local tournaments, such as the BGMI Masters’ Series, to further establish esports as a premier entertainment category in the Indian market.