Facebook Preps Bigger Plunge into E-Sports

Nov 01, 2016 7:01 AM PDT

Facebook is stepping up plans to broadcast popular e-sports tournaments, in a potential challenge to Twitch and YouTube.

Facebook had “extensive conversations” with the developer of popular mobile e-sport “Vainglory” to stream professional competitions, said Kristian Segerstrale, chief operating officer of developer Super Evil Megacorp. Facebook also started working with game developer Activision Blizzard in May to stream some tournaments and highlight shows. Discussions with Activision have progressed since then, and Facebook could pay for more streaming rights to professional matches, a person familiar with the matter said.

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