Social video platform Twitch has agreed a two-year global partnership with game developer and publisher Blizzard Entertainment that includes third-party live streaming rights to select Blizzard esports content.
As the first part of what is termed a landmark license deal, Blizzard is licensing third-party streaming-platform rights to Twitch for a range of Hearthstone, Heroes of the Storm, World of Warcraft, StarCraft II, and Overwatch esports content, subject to some exceptions with regard to certain regions and languages, and digital platforms associated with linear-media rights holders.
The deal comprises more than 20 major individual events, including Heroes of the Storm Global Championship, StarCraft II World Championship Series, Hearthstone Championship Tour, Hearthstone Global Games, World of Warcraft Arena Championship, Overwatch APEX League and Overwatch Premier Series.
For the second part of the collaboration, Twitch Prime members in over 200 countries and territories will get special in-game ‘loot’ and deals for Overwatch, Hearthstone, and Heroes of the Storm.
“We’ve had great experiences and a long history of working with Twitch, and we’re thrilled that this landmark agreement with them will help us bring some of the most exciting esports action in the world to Twitch fans and everyone who follows Blizzard esports,” Frank Pearce, chief product officer and co-founder of Blizzard Entertainment, said.
“Our esports communities are vital to us. We know there are millions of people out there who love Blizzard esports as much as we do, and we’re committed to making sure they’ll be able to cheer on their favourite players in all of their favourite Blizzard games for a long time to come.”