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AfreecaTV-Blizzard deal announced, KSL cancelled

Forum Index > BW General
64 CommentsPost a Reply
1 2 3 4 Next All
TT1
Profile Blog Joined December 2008
Canada10052 Posts
March 31 2020 09:13 GMT
#1
On March 31 2020 17:50 konadora wrote:
Show nested quote +
On March 31 2020 17:36 Ziggy wrote:
Worth mentioning there was another piece of news released today:

https://starcraft.com/ko-kr/articles/23369563

TLDR; Blizzard and Afreeca have signed a new deal to broadcast a number of Blizzard esports on Korean cable (SBS-Afreeca), which includes the ASL, the GSL, something for Overwatch, Hearthstone, Call of Duty, WC3, and WoW Arena + Mythic Dungeons.

While it doesn't necessarily mean the KSL will come back, I think it being cancelled is likely due to a 'temporary' (?) shift in priorities.



Translation:

SBS-AfreecaTV Stacraft: Remastered Multi-year deal announcement

StarCraft has been the backbone of esports in Korea for over 20 years. With the release of StarCraft: Remastered in 2017, a new chapter has opened on this historic stage. We are delighted to announce that StarCraft: Remastered and several other Blizzard esports programs will be a long time fixture on SBS-AfreecaTV.
SBS-AfreecaTV, a joint venture between Seoul Broadcasting Station SBS and Seoul-based streaming platform AfreecaTV, will broadcast several Activision Blizzard esports global competitions in a new multi-year contract, as well as several Blizzard-sanctioned esports tournaments that will be held in South Korea.

As such, the AfreecaTV StarCraft League (ASL) and the Global StarCraft II League (GSL) will continue. ASL is currently in its ninth season and is played every Sunday and Tuesday at 7:00 PM (KST/GMT+9). Information on ASL and GSL can be found on the AfreecaTV website.

In addition to the new contract, SBS-AfreecaTV will also broadcast several other Blizzard esports shows in South Korea, including Warcraft III: Reforged, Overwatch Contenders Korea, Overwatch League, Call of Duty League (CDL), Hearthstone Grandmasters, Hearthstone Masters Tour, World of Warcraft Arena World Championship and Mythic Dungeon International on its cable TV network.



My guess is that they didn't see the need to expend resources on both KSL and ASL when this new arrangement will be streamed on Afreeca anyway, so we can take it that KSL is not coming back for good, and ASL will be the sole SC:R tournament.


https://starcraft.com/ko-kr/articles/23369563


https://starcraft.com/ko-kr/articles/23369564

"KSL Termination Notice
A day ago | Blizzard Entertainment

At the end of the 4th season of 2019, KSL will no longer be held. We would like to thank the players who have shown many outstanding matches over the past two years, the relay team, staff and fans who have given generous love. StarCraft: Remaster eSports will continue to be the AfreecaTV StarCraft League for Afreeca TV, although it will be difficult to see you again with KSL.

You can watch KSL last season's matches on StarCraft YouTube ( link ):

Thank you!"
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ab = tl(i) + tl(pc), the grand answer to every tl.net debate
BLinD-RawR
Profile Blog Joined April 2010
ALLEYCAT BLUES51228 Posts
March 31 2020 08:29 GMT
#2
thats not an indefinite cancellation, thats a permanent cancellation.
Brood War EICWoo Jung Ho, never forget.| Twitter: @BLinDRawR
TT1
Profile Blog Joined December 2008
Canada10052 Posts
March 31 2020 08:30 GMT
#3
never lose hope
ab = tl(i) + tl(pc), the grand answer to every tl.net debate
BLinD-RawR
Profile Blog Joined April 2010
ALLEYCAT BLUES51228 Posts
Last Edited: 2020-03-31 08:39:15
March 31 2020 08:34 GMT
#4
no pretty sure its dead in the water.

https://starcraft.com/ko-kr/articles/23369563

the article states Blizzard and Afreeca have an exclusive deal to broadcast all blizzard esports, makes no sense for afreeca to run 2 different individual leagues on their own for BW.
Brood War EICWoo Jung Ho, never forget.| Twitter: @BLinDRawR
konadora *
Profile Blog Joined February 2009
Singapore66364 Posts
March 31 2020 08:34 GMT
#5
that sounds pretty permanent...

also African TV lul
POGGERS
Ziggy
Profile Blog Joined June 2013
South Korea2106 Posts
March 31 2020 08:36 GMT
#6
Worth mentioning there was another piece of news released today:

https://starcraft.com/ko-kr/articles/23369563

TLDR; Blizzard and Afreeca have signed a new deal to broadcast a number of Blizzard esports on Korean cable (SBS-Afreeca), which includes the ASL, the GSL, something for Overwatch, Hearthstone, Call of Duty, WC3, and WoW Arena + Mythic Dungeons.

While it doesn't necessarily mean the KSL will come back, I think it being cancelled is likely due to a 'temporary' (?) shift in priorities.
WriterDefeating a sandwich only makes it tastier. @imjustziggy
outscar
Profile Joined September 2014
2832 Posts
March 31 2020 08:39 GMT
#7
Guess we never gonna see FlaSh lifting KSL trophy, what a shame but expected as you can always expect this kind of thing from Blizzard.
sunbeams are never made like me...
konadora *
Profile Blog Joined February 2009
Singapore66364 Posts
Last Edited: 2020-03-31 08:51:36
March 31 2020 08:50 GMT
#8
On March 31 2020 17:36 Ziggy wrote:
Worth mentioning there was another piece of news released today:

https://starcraft.com/ko-kr/articles/23369563

TLDR; Blizzard and Afreeca have signed a new deal to broadcast a number of Blizzard esports on Korean cable (SBS-Afreeca), which includes the ASL, the GSL, something for Overwatch, Hearthstone, Call of Duty, WC3, and WoW Arena + Mythic Dungeons.

While it doesn't necessarily mean the KSL will come back, I think it being cancelled is likely due to a 'temporary' (?) shift in priorities.



Translation:

SBS-AfreecaTV Stacraft: Remastered Multi-year deal announcement

StarCraft has been the backbone of esports in Korea for over 20 years. With the release of StarCraft: Remastered in 2017, a new chapter has opened on this historic stage. We are delighted to announce that StarCraft: Remastered and several other Blizzard esports programs will be a long time fixture on SBS-AfreecaTV.
SBS-AfreecaTV, a joint venture between Seoul Broadcasting Station SBS and Seoul-based streaming platform AfreecaTV, will broadcast several Activision Blizzard esports global competitions in a new multi-year contract, as well as several Blizzard-sanctioned esports tournaments that will be held in South Korea.

As such, the AfreecaTV StarCraft League (ASL) and the Global StarCraft II League (GSL) will continue. ASL is currently in its ninth season and is played every Sunday and Tuesday at 7:00 PM (KST/GMT+9). Information on ASL and GSL can be found on the AfreecaTV website.

In addition to the new contract, SBS-AfreecaTV will also broadcast several other Blizzard esports shows in South Korea, including Warcraft III: Reforged, Overwatch Contenders Korea, Overwatch League, Call of Duty League (CDL), Hearthstone Grandmasters, Hearthstone Masters Tour, World of Warcraft Arena World Championship and Mythic Dungeon International on its cable TV network.



My guess is that they didn't see the need to expend resources on both KSL and ASL when this new arrangement will be streamed on Afreeca anyway, so we can take it that KSL is not coming back for good, and ASL will be the sole SC:R tournament.
POGGERS
Jendi
Profile Joined March 2020
11 Posts
March 31 2020 08:52 GMT
#9
Does it have to do with coronavirus and lack of audience or it's completely seperate?

Maybe they could do some kind of fake-team league then, than will be played on LAN...
konadora *
Profile Blog Joined February 2009
Singapore66364 Posts
March 31 2020 08:55 GMT
#10
On March 31 2020 17:52 Jendi wrote:
Does it have to do with coronavirus and lack of audience or it's completely seperate?

Maybe they could do some kind of fake-team league then, than will be played on LAN...

think it's kind of a separate thing, as I explained in an earlier post above.

there are plenty of community-run events however, such as KCM Race Survival and "Casters Inc." Tournaments

KCM: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2ja61Zku_rw3ZBfDZi8cuQ

Casters Inc: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNymqCXr3sxL8dnmO_jScuA

And I'm sure there are many other tournaments too. These two are the most updated and accessible on Youtube.
POGGERS
A.Alm
Profile Joined September 2012
Sweden558 Posts
Last Edited: 2020-03-31 10:42:01
March 31 2020 09:13 GMT
#11
Sad to see KSL cancelled. To be fair their planing etc was pretty bad. They had to many games on to short of a time which exhausted the casters and the audience. I can't wait to see what African TV has to offer!

African TV Pro League inc?
Qikz
Profile Blog Joined November 2009
United Kingdom12047 Posts
March 31 2020 09:16 GMT
#12
On March 31 2020 17:50 konadora wrote:
Show nested quote +
On March 31 2020 17:36 Ziggy wrote:
Worth mentioning there was another piece of news released today:

https://starcraft.com/ko-kr/articles/23369563

TLDR; Blizzard and Afreeca have signed a new deal to broadcast a number of Blizzard esports on Korean cable (SBS-Afreeca), which includes the ASL, the GSL, something for Overwatch, Hearthstone, Call of Duty, WC3, and WoW Arena + Mythic Dungeons.

While it doesn't necessarily mean the KSL will come back, I think it being cancelled is likely due to a 'temporary' (?) shift in priorities.



Translation:

SBS-AfreecaTV Stacraft: Remastered Multi-year deal announcement

StarCraft has been the backbone of esports in Korea for over 20 years. With the release of StarCraft: Remastered in 2017, a new chapter has opened on this historic stage. We are delighted to announce that StarCraft: Remastered and several other Blizzard esports programs will be a long time fixture on SBS-AfreecaTV.
SBS-AfreecaTV, a joint venture between Seoul Broadcasting Station SBS and Seoul-based streaming platform AfreecaTV, will broadcast several Activision Blizzard esports global competitions in a new multi-year contract, as well as several Blizzard-sanctioned esports tournaments that will be held in South Korea.

As such, the AfreecaTV StarCraft League (ASL) and the Global StarCraft II League (GSL) will continue. ASL is currently in its ninth season and is played every Sunday and Tuesday at 7:00 PM (KST/GMT+9). Information on ASL and GSL can be found on the AfreecaTV website.

In addition to the new contract, SBS-AfreecaTV will also broadcast several other Blizzard esports shows in South Korea, including Warcraft III: Reforged, Overwatch Contenders Korea, Overwatch League, Call of Duty League (CDL), Hearthstone Grandmasters, Hearthstone Masters Tour, World of Warcraft Arena World Championship and Mythic Dungeon International on its cable TV network.



My guess is that they didn't see the need to expend resources on both KSL and ASL when this new arrangement will be streamed on Afreeca anyway, so we can take it that KSL is not coming back for good, and ASL will be the sole SC:R tournament.


Hopefully it means we'll get Afreeca Team Battle back if (I assume) this means they won't have to pay a fee.
FanTaSy's #1 Fan | STPL Caster/Organiser | SKT BEST KT | https://twitch.tv/stpl
GTR
Profile Blog Joined September 2004
51682 Posts
March 31 2020 09:22 GMT
#13
this also means we won't see that dumb rotation of ksl/asl every season that we had before (ergo, more asl seasons per year).
Commentator
Ej_
Profile Blog Joined January 2013
47656 Posts
March 31 2020 09:25 GMT
#14
On March 31 2020 17:39 outscar wrote:
Guess we never gonna see FlaSh lifting KSL trophy, what a shame but expected as you can always expect this kind of thing from Blizzard.

What kind of thing, operating their business?
"Technically the dictionary has zero authority on the meaning or words" - Rodya
Waxangel
Profile Blog Joined September 2002
United States33680 Posts
March 31 2020 09:26 GMT
#15
So, there's some vaguely reported "exclusivity" around the Blizzard-AfreecaTV deal where I'm not entirely sure which IP's fall in, but it seems safe to say Brood War and StarCraft II are in the bucket.
AdministratorHey HP can you redo everything youve ever done because i have a small complaint?
BLinD-RawR
Profile Blog Joined April 2010
ALLEYCAT BLUES51228 Posts
Last Edited: 2020-03-31 09:32:12
March 31 2020 09:31 GMT
#16
Short Version:

GSL viewers, no more English Twitch Stream

ASL viewers, nothing's changed.
Brood War EICWoo Jung Ho, never forget.| Twitter: @BLinDRawR
BisuDagger
Profile Blog Joined October 2009
Bisutopia19381 Posts
March 31 2020 09:59 GMT
#17
On March 31 2020 18:31 BLinD-RawR wrote:
Short Version:

GSL viewers, no more English Twitch Stream

ASL viewers, nothing's changed.

Tasteless and Artosis talked about this in their cast. They were pretty upset all that work for the GSL channel is essentially being tossed out the window now. It would have been nice if they could have had more time to notify and transition people to their other channels.
ModeratorFormer Afreeca Starleague Caster: http://afreeca.tv/ASL2ENG2
M3t4PhYzX
Profile Joined March 2019
Poland4274 Posts
March 31 2020 10:04 GMT
#18
wait.. so we are going to see 4th KSL and then it will be cancelled, or is this cancelled already and no 4th tournament?

KSL was pretty cool, damn shame that we will no longer enjoy this many bo5's and bo7's..

if Bli$$ard signed a new agreement with Afreeca TV then maybe there is a chance for a BW team league of some kind.. That would be amazing
MinixTheNerd
Profile Joined July 2019
200 Posts
Last Edited: 2020-03-31 10:08:48
March 31 2020 10:08 GMT
#19
Not too surprising, Blizzard had definitely been cutting costs to their non overwatch league esports departments. KSL been on twitch unfortunately loses many of the korean viewers, and with the coming economic difficulties in the US its not surprising they are discontinuing KSL. Fortunately the castersmuse league kinda already takes its place, hopefully they can get a couple of english commentators.
Uldridge
Profile Blog Joined January 2011
Belgium5201 Posts
March 31 2020 10:13 GMT
#20
@Meta
I found KSL quite lackluster actually. Felt too rushed, felt like less of a competitive drive, felt like there was less interest from all parties involved.

Now, I'm not saying it wasnt entertaining, I am saying ASL is way superior to KSL and having ASL and KSL running was ultimately a detriment to the SC:BW scene due to oversaturation, possibly making people less interested in the game as a whole over time.
Taxes are for Terrans
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