YouTube to launch live streaming eSports drive, report claims

The world’s biggest online video provider has set its set on the live streaming video market, with eSports to be a central thrust.

The Daily Dot reports that following its failed attempt to acquire Twitch last year (and Amazon’s success) YouTube owner Google is on the hunt for content and broadcasters from the eSports sector. It reckons that over 50 hires have already been made.

YouTube has dabbled in live streaming, and broadcasts non-exclusive live coverage of the League of Legends Championship Series, but many within the industry have been surprised at its apparent reluctance to develop that side of its business. Until now, that is.

Gaming and eSports in particular are going to be a big driving force for the new-look YouTube Live," a source told the site. "There’ll be huge opportunities for established streamers and organizations soon and I would say that the record numbers of eSports viewers are only going to grow when Google start promoting and partnering with these events.

[That] is a pretty big statement of intent. The time is right as well, with Twitch moving into other areas such as music and so on. Google doesn’t want to be too far behind in the arms race.”

It adds that an official announcement will be made at E3.