TBS Will Broadcast eSports in 2016

TBS is breaking into the eSports industry, announcing 20 live events to be aired in 2016 ("Very Funny"). The broadcasting network must have been reading analytics firm Newzoo's reports and wants a piece of the projected $278 million competitive gaming industry. Who is TBS hoping to reach? The majority of eSports viewers already tune in through streaming services such as Twitch. What incentive is there to leave the keyboard behind for the TV, with program interrupted by advertisements for toothpaste and Zoloft? I can't remember the last time I voluntarily watched TV.

But Turner Broadcasting is not the first television network to host eSports events. ESPN 2 recently aired a college-geared Heroes of the Storm tournament, aptly titled "Heroes of the Dorm." Newzoo's report estimates that 47.7 million people tune in to eSports competitions, but they watch on their computers. And ESPN didn't break the ratings charts, contrarily the tournament did poorly according to Nielsen ratings.

Regardless, TBS is taking a risk and making fairly large push to be the network hosting competitive gaming. Counter-Strike: Global Offensive is just one game slated to appear in a new facility built for eSports. Turner Sports president Lenny Daniels stated “eSports is one of the fastest growing entertainment genres among young adults around the world,” and he's certainly not wrong. The televised competitions are slated to begin in 2016. Whether or not it brings eSports away from streaming services or ends up being thedeath knell for TBS's dreams remains to be seen.