It says today that NBC Sports Group this summer will introduce what it calls the "first-ever 2v2 worldwide Rocket League tournament" using the FACEIT gaming platform.
The cable network CMCSA, -0.27% hopes a tournament built around a popular quirky game called "Rocket League" will attract hard-to-reach viewers-particularly younger males-who increasingly are ditching cable subscriptions for live-streaming services such as Netflix Inc.
Sports is the latest traditional broadcaster to get on board the esports bandwagon.
NBCSN will show the Grand Finals, with 16 teams, on August 26-27.
According to Rob Simmelkjaer, senior vice president of NBC Sports Ventures, NBC is investing in the low millions, and said "esports has been something tough to ignore" with a reach of 85 million homes in the United States and a regional reach of half that amount. The tournament will begin with regional online qualifying matches organized through the Faceit esports platform, then later rounds will be aired on the NBC Sports App.
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NBC will livestream as well as broadcast the Grand Finals from August 26 and August 27 in the U.S., the U.K., Australia, Germany, and across Latin America.
Esports Insider says: Big and exciting moves from NBC as they bring 2v2 Rocket League to television. It's already embedded in the esports scene, hosting the third season of the Rocket League Championship Series this year, and its latest content upgrades are geared toward building it up as an esport, adding features like a quickview of info from the latest competitive matches.
So heads up, Rocket League esports fans. We see its audiences are growing. And you thought you were good at Rocket League...
We'll have more on the tournament as it's shared.
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