Twitch has re-upped its exclusive broadcasting partnership with leading esports company Team Liquid, which manages top players and also operates a full-service production company. The partnership dates back to 2011, and will see the two companies continue to collaborate on streaming and VOD content, as well as on strategies to improve the Twitch platform for creators.
“Team Liquid was among the initial teams that helped cement Twitch’s role as the industry leader in live gaming video,” said John Howell, VP of global partnerships at Twitch, who noted that the partnership would continue “for many years to come.”
Team Liquid’s roster of roughly 45 players — who compete on 9 different teams at global tournaments for League of Legends, Counter Strike: Global Offensive, Dota 2, and other titles — will exclusively broadcast on Twitch as part of the deal, while Team Liquid’s production company, 1UP Studios, will create original content for the platform. Twitch will also work closely with Team Liquid’s influencer management arm Liquid Media.
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Other top esports teams that broadcast exclusively on Twitch include Team SoloMid, Cloud9, Evil Geniuses, Alliance, Ninjas In Pyjamas, Team EnVyUs, and ESForce. And Twitch isn’t the only platform inking deals within the esports space. Last month, Twitter announced pacts with ESL and DreamHack to broadcast a total of 15 gaming events throughout 2017.
“Before many other brands came on board, Twitch’s commitment to esports in the early days helped create the spectator generation of gamers,” said Steve Arhancet, co-CEO of Team Liquid. “Everyone at Team Liquid is psyched to partner with Twitch again in a much more comprehensive manner.”
