YouTube is preparing to relaunch its livestreaming platform with a renewed focus on live gaming and electronic sports. The Google-owned giant, which tried and failed to acquire streaming giant Twitch last year, has watched the growth of esports with great interest and is looking to acquire broadcast content and talent within the industry.
According to “sources within the streaming industry”, Google has already hired about 50 engineers with expertise in the streaming industry to enhance YouTube Live’s services. “Gaming and e-sports in particular are going to be a big driving force for the new-look YouTube Live. There’ll be huge opportunities for established streamers and organizations soon and I would say that the record numbers of e-sports viewers are only going to grow when Google start promoting and partnering with these events,” it explains.
YouTube has been taking a stab at streaming esports as it has covered the League of Legends Championship Series since 2013. It has also broadcast cricket matches from the Indian Premier League, bragging at the time that these were the first free online broadcast of a major sporting event. But YouTube does not have an exclusive on it and most League of Legends’ fans end up watching on Twitch. Google is hoping that the YouTube name still carries enough of a cachet to take on the competition and grab the bulk of live video game and esports viewers.
The company will likely make an official announcement on its revamped streaming service at the gaming expo E3 that runs June 16 to 18.
