ESL’s recent content deal with Hulu isn’t the only platform turning to the world’s largest esports league for programming. Locking in a bevy of outlets, which also include the likes of Disney Channel, Facebook and Twitter, ESL’s newest quartet of shows are all developed and produced by ESL, and will premiere exclusively on Hulu later this fall. Player V. Player will serve as a gamified debate show with casters and esports influencers facing off over the hottest topics in esports. Bootcamp is a weekly docu-series that follows The Immortals, a top CS:GO team, as they rebuild their roster leading up to IEM Oakland. Defining Moments will “dive deep into the most impactful moments in esports history with passionate casters and analysts explaining what made these moments so monumental. Finally, ESL Replay is a fast-paced, condensed, documentary-style recap of the most memorable moments from four of the biggest multi-day esports tournaments in the world, including in-depth analyses and behind-the-scenes footage not part of the tournament live stream.
Cynopsis asked Nik Adams, Senior Vice President of Global Media Rights and Distribution, ESL, about the league’s expanding programming ventures.
Adams on Hulu: Hulu is the perfect partner for ESL. Hulu has recently been recognized for their own original programming and is looking to expand into series that extend into new genres of content. Additionally, both Hulu and ESL’s audiences are digitally savvy and range younger than the age demographics of linear television, making Hulu the perfect platform to build out ESL’s varied original content offering.
On expanding content: This latest deal with Hulu, following ESL’s deals with Twitter, Facebook, and Disney from earlier this year, is the next step in continuing to broaden the base of esports fans with original content that appeals to a more mass audience. ESL started producing successful content a year ago, with which we have found great success. ESL’s four original series for Hulu provide new ways of esports storytelling, opening up the industry to new fans.
On ESL’s approach: ESL receives many requests for new esports content. We also have a creative team split between our offices in Los Angeles, Germany and Stockholm who is constantly creating new concepts for esports shows and features. The content landscape is highly interested in esports industry programming.
On ESL Replay and ESL properties: ESL Replay will focus on ESL content, but will feature non-ESL content as well. This new show is centered around our sport—esports—and not our brand.
