Gametoon HD Channel Will Broadcast Esports Balkan League (League of Legends) Exclusively This Summer
Gametoon HD Channel acquired Esports Balkan League (League of Legends), the biggest regional esports league, which will be aired live and exclusively this summer
SPI/FilmBox announced today that it has acquired the exclusive linear and digital rights to the Esports Balkan League (EBL), the first professional esports competition in which the best eight teams from ten European countries compete in a League of Legends tournament for the championship title.
This summer, viewers can watch EBL (League of Legends) live and exclusively, on SPI/FilmBox’s Gametoon HD channel. Gametoon HD is a worldwide entertainment TV channel for millennials revolving around gaming and esports. Gametoon HD offers a unique experience to its audience along with wholly owned exclusive contents and timeslots such as Stream Nation and eSports tournaments. Gametoon HD is a well-known source of entertainment within the world of gaming. The channel is available worldwide in English and will soon be available in Polish.
“It is with great pleasure that I announce the SPI/FilmBox’s Gametoon HD channel is the sole carrier of EBL (League of Legends), the biggest regional esports competition featuring the most popular online video game ever,” said Revi Benshoshan, Director of Acquisitions at SPI International. “It is only fitting that SPI, one of the most strategic and competitive media companies in the world, signed an exclusive license agreement with Fortuna Esports, a prominent player in the field of esports event management. This summer, Gametoon HD is the only channel in the world where you can watch Esports Balkan League (League of Legends).” continued Benshoshan.
Gametoon HD viewers can watch the livestream of EBL (League of Legends) anywhere in the world, starting from June 24 until the finals on August 24, between 19:00 – 23:00 CEST. Season Five of EBL covers ten countries: Serbia, Croatia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Bosnia & Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Slovenia, Montenegro and Albania. Among the eight competing teams is last year’s winner, Random 5 from Bulgaria, along with other formidable competitors such as Crvena Zvezda, ASUS, LevelUp, X25, Upper Echelon, The Plan and WiLD. The league features the teams competing in a double round robin "best-of-1" format throughout the season, with the top four teams advancing to playoffs.
“We are thrilled about our partnership with SPI/FilmBox and because Esports Balkan League will be available to an even wider audience through Gametoon HD in its upcoming fifth season,” said Mihajlo Jovanović-Džaril, Founder and CEO of Fortuna Esports. “Our region is home to many great gaming talents and it has been our mission to bring them under the spotlight. This deal is doing exactly that.” continued Jovanović-Džaril.
League of Legends is a multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game and is recognized as the most played video game in the world with over hundred million plays every month. EBL is one of Europe's thirteen ERLs leagues and it is officially endorsed by Riot Games, the developer and publisher of League of Legends. This year, the top eight Balkan teams will compete for an aggregate prize pool of 40.000 Euros.
About SPI International
SPI International is a global media company operating 36 television channels on six continents. SPI is one of the biggest aggregators of native Ultra HD content in the world, FilmBox being its flagship channel. Working with over 1,400 operators worldwide, SPI uses state of the art technology providing its 55 million subscribers with access to SPI’s linear and on demand content including live streaming of UHD programming and FilmBox channels on any Internet-connected device via major global streaming media players as well as local OTT providers.
For over 25 years, SPI International has been a leading distributor of theatrical films and television programming in the international market. SPI’s solid alliances with major license suppliers provide compelling content, with strong recognition and high demand. www.spiintl.com
About Fortuna Esports
Fortuna Esports is the regional leader in Southeast Europe when it comes to esports. It handles event organization, studio and video production as well as TV and online streaming for international tournaments. Fortuna is the first regional broadcaster to acquire rights for premium esports content with the Riot Games' LoL Esports tournament circuit, Dota 2 The International and CS:GO Majors.
Along with premium esports programming, Fortuna's portfolio includes unique entertainment shows created for local audience as well as the biggest regional esports league – Esports Balkan League.
For more information contact:
SPI International/FILMBOX
Marc Weissman (Glo Creative)
marc@glocreative.com