Data presented by Finbold indicates that video game live streaming service Twitch attained a record milestone of 3.03 million viewers in April 2021 based on a monthly seven-day average.

The viewership figures represent a growth of 22.17% between April 2020 and April 2021. Between January and April, the number has grown by 4.12%. The lowest viewership figure was in July 2020 at 2.11 million.

Pandemic fuels Twitch viewership numbers 

The report further highlights factors that have fuelled the growth in Twitch viewership over the past year. According to the research report:

“The record growth in Twitch viewers compliments the fact that most people have turned to digital platforms for entertainment in the course of the ongoing health crisis. Most people turned to video gaming platforms for entertainment. The reliance on digital entertainment pushed Twitch viewers to new heights. With most authorities still imposing lockdown and stay-at-home orders, many people are still seeking solace from digital platforms, and Twitch might benefit further.”

Elsewhere, the number of Twitch streamers has also been on the rise, growing by 29.92% between April 2020 and April 2021 from 93,750 to 121,808. The platform recorded the highest number of streamers in February 2021 at 122,623. The lowest number of streamers was in September at 91,861.

Furthermore, the analysis puts the Twitch viewership numbers into perspective as some parts of the world return to normalcy from the health crisis. According to the report:

“Amid the growing Twitch viewership, projections indicated that the numbers might slow down as the world returns to normalcy with the coronavirus vaccines’ rollout, especially in the U.S. However, the viewership does not reflect the ongoing vaccination, an indicator that Twitch is making inroads to retain users on the platform.”

With Twitch continuing to add more viewers amid the coronavirus pandemic, the challenge will be on maintaining the users. Twitch’s approach towards handling the post-pandemic era will be instrumental.

Check out the full Finbold report, with more statistics here.

Czech gaming supplement brand MADMONQ has partnered with esports tournament organiser BLAST Premier. 

The agreement will see the company, which created the first health and performance gaming supplement tailored to gamers’ needs, support the 2021 BLAST Premier Spring Showdown and Spring Final.

In addition to providing fans and players with resources to improve their health and performance, MADMONQ and BLAST Premier will also collaborate on content, including improv sketches, in-game health data presented during broadcasts, and educational programming during breaks. 

“BLAST Premier is one of the most-watched Counter-Strike tournaments on the esports calendar and we are excited to bring our game-changing supplements to fans and players. We are proud to partner with an organization that shares our commitment to promoting a healthy lifestyle for gamers around the world and inspiring the community to perform at their highest levels. The work we are doing together will help to inform our future products, and support the growth and wellness of the entire esports industry,” commented Michal Noga, Chief MADMONQ. 

Oliver Clarke, Head of Brand Partnerships for BLAST, said: “Health, performance and wellbeing play such an important role in esports and gaming. We are delighted to team up with MADMONQ to highlight the importance of a balanced lifestyle and improved performance, at all levels, in the global community. We have some really exciting in-game integrations, player content features and other activations lined up to help bring health and performance to the forefront of esports.”

BLAST Premier is a global Counter-Strike tournament series that unites all major events, offers opportunities to all regions across the globe and crowns the world champions of CS:GO. Up to 32 teams will take part in the seven BLAST Premier events this year with a combined prize pool of $2,475,000 on the line.

Staying with BLAST Premier, yesterday the league announced cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase as a sponsor.

UK-based esports organisation LDN UTD has teamed up with the world’s largest supplier of sports programming, Matchroom. 

Aimed at bringing together esports and traditional sports, the first stage of the content partnership will feature athletes from the  Professional Darts Corporation alongside players from LDN UTD’s FIFA, League of Legends, Valorant, and Fortnite rosters.  

That will be followed by a regular Matchroom Monday series featuring content across various esports titles, themes, esports players, and traditional athletes, including those from Matchroom Boxing.

Oliver Weingarten, CEO of LDN UTD commented: “The trajectory of esports might not be the obvious direction for Matchroom, but as a sports entertainment business, they’ve recognised the growth of esports, its demographic, and potential to continue to bring new fans to their sports.”

Matthew Porter, Director of Matchroom added: “Esports is the fastest-growing consumer industry, and has only become more prominent during the pandemic. It therefore made sense to align with an esports organisation that wants to grow a community by promoting a healthy lifestyle and social issues. We’re looking forward to showcasing our athletes in a different environment and engaging the community.

AYO.NEWS says:

Given the insane growth of esports and the wider gaming sector, it’s not surprising to see a huge programming supplier like Matchroom realise that it needs to get its foot in the door. And, with the enthusiasm we’ve seen among traditional athletes and sports fans for esports elsewhere, we’re sure there will be no problem creating plenty of engaging content.

Online eyewear retailer Zenni has entered a multi-year partnership with Activision Blizzard’s Call of Duty League (CDL). 

The deal makes Zenni an official partner of CDL, and will see it act as presenting partner for the Stage Two Major which starts tomorrow, 7 April, and the 2022 Kickoff Classic. In terms of activations, CDL casters will be wearing Zenni eyewear during broadcasts, and for an original content series featuring a pro player. 

The partnership will feature Zenni’s signature Blokz blue-blocker lenses, which are designed to reduce eye strain and improve performance by blocking blue light from digital screens that can negatively affect vision and eye health. 

Discussing the partnership, Sean Pate, Brand Marketing and Communications Officer at Zenni, said: “Call of Duty esports has a rich history, and we’re thrilled to be working with the Call of Duty League to share the value of our Blokz technology with their audience through 2021 and beyond.”

“We’ve learned so much about the esports industry over the last few years through our great partners and continuing to invest in the gaming industry has become a major priority for our business. This new relationship with a household name in the space, should cement our commitment to esports overall.”

While Jack Harari, Vice President of Global Partnerships at Activision Esports, added: “”Just a few years ago, fashion and gaming were rarely used in the same sentence. Today, these worlds intersect regularly. Call of Duty League pros are some of the most followed, most influential esports personalities in the world, and they demand form and function in anything they wear – especially when it comes to their eyes.

“We believe the Zenni product line will resonate strongly with our passionate community. We look forward to working closely with Zenni for years to come, kicking off with Zenni as the presenting sponsor for Call of Duty Major II, which will showcase for fans the culmination of some of the most competitive action we’ve ever seen in the Call of Duty League.”

Other Call of Duty League partners include ASTRO Gaming, MTN DEW AMP GAME FUEL, SCUF Gaming, and United Services Automobile Association.

Ligue 1 Uber Eats’ first eLigue 1 Tour has attracted over 3,000 participants in events across six countries. 

Open to all Ligue 1 Uber Eats fans globally, regardless of their level, since launching in January 2021 the eLigue Tour 1 has seen over 3,000 players compete in qualifiers in six countries; Brazil, Ivory Coast, Japan, Morocco, Qatar, and the United States.

The six national champions will compete in the eLigue 1 Tour Finals in France at the start of next season. 

Esports marketing agency Freaks 4U Gaming are managing the competition on behalf of Ligue de Football Professional. 

Mathieu Ficot, Deputy CEO of LFP, said: “The eLigue 1 Tour completes the international development strategy of the Ligue 1 Uber Eats, one of the priorities of the LFP and its clubs. With this amateur esport competition on EA SPORTS FIFA 21, we want to reach out to a maximum number of fans abroad and increase the awareness of Ligue 1 Uber Eats in an innovative way, by adapting to new consumption patterns.”

Samy Ouerfelli, Head of New Business at Freaks 4U Gaming, added: “By accompanying the LFP on the eLigue 1 Tour, Freaks 4U Gaming is contributing its know-how in piloting international products, enabling sports players to help them in their desire to diversify digitally to a new audience.”

BLAST Premier has named cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase as the latest sponsor for its upcoming Spring Season.

The partnership between the Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) esports league and the crypto exchange will include branding across the Spring Showdown from 13-18 April, and the Spring Finals from 15-20 June. 

Coinbase will also be sponsoring BLAST Premier’s The Economy Play broadcast segment. 

Regarding the partnership, Oliver Clarke, Head of Brand Partnerships for BLAST, said: “Esports and cryptocurrency both share a strong relationship with technology and innovation. BLAST Premier is enjoyed on a global scale with an audience that is known to be tech-savvy. We look forward to seeing the result of fans engaging with the safe, secure and world-leading cryptocurrency exchange platform.”

The deal with BLAST Premier could be the start of an esports push for Coinbase, with North American esports organisation Evil Geniuses also hinting at an upcoming partnership with the exchange recently. 

BLAST Premier is also sponsored by CS.MONEY, EPOS, and Shikenso Analytics.