지난 3월2일(금) 저녁 IEG가 온게임넷, MBC게임에 보낸 제안에 대해 양대 방송사업자는 3월6일(월) 오후 IEG와 한국E스포츠 협회에 답변 공문을 보냈다. 이 답변 공문을 통해 양대 방송사업자는 e스포츠협회가 주장하는 중계권 제도 도입을 수용한다는 내용의 공식입장을 밝혔다.
On March 6th, 2007, OGN and MBC have sent an official reply to IEG and KeSPA’s proposition. In this reply, they have expressed their official stance that they will be accepting the broadcasting rights system that KeSPA has implemented.
프로리그 파행을 막는다는 대승적인 차원에서 이 같은 결정을 내린 것. 다만 3년간 프로리그 주관 방송사업자로서 안정적인 방송사업권을 인정해 달라고 요청했다. (배타적 독점권이 아닌 비독점적 지위)
They have made this decision in a great mindset to prevent ProLeague from destruction. They simply asked for a guarantee for 3 years of stable, non-exclusive broadcasting rights as the ProLeague’s main broadcasting company.
온 게임넷과 MBC게임은 ‘e스포츠를 대중 스포츠로 만들고 절대적인 파이를 키우기 위해서 다른 사업자의 시장진입을 허용해야 한다’는 e스포츠협회의 의견을 전면 수용하며 ‘다른 방송사업자나 포털, DMB, IPTV의 시장진입을 수용하고 협회가 주관하는 각종 사업에도 적극 협조할 것’이라고 밝혔다. 아울러 이에 따르는 비용도 어떤 형태로든 지급할 용의가 있다고 말했다.
Agreeing completely with KeSPA’s opinion “to make e-sports a sport for the general public and to develop an influential market position, other companies’ entry into the market must be allowed”, OGN and MBC have expressed that they will “allow market entry by other broadcasting companies, 포털 (Portal), DMB, IPTV, and will assist, as much as they can, in other businesses that the association will host. Also, they have said that they are willing to pay the costs in any form.
현재 의 프로리그는 온게임넷과 MBC게임이 각각 진행해왔던 프로리그와 팀리그를 2005년 협회 주도하에 통합해 만든 것이다. 하지만 2007시즌부터 e스포츠협회가 중계권 개념을 도입해 중계료를 징수하는 방안을 추진하자 양대 방송사 측이 이를 반대하면서 현재의 중계권 문제가 발발하였다.
The current ProLeague had been created in 2005, under KeSPA’s leadership in bringing OGN and MBC’s ProLeague and Team League together. However, since 2007, KeSPA has implemented the broadcasting rights system and has pursued the method of collecting broadcasting fees, both OGN and MBC have objected and the problem burst out onto the scene.
협의 초기에 양대 방송사업자는 중계권에 따른 방송사업의 불안정성과 프로리그 사업확대를 위한 장기적 플랜의 미비, 경기장 및 대회운영에 관한 기존 프로리그와 e스포츠리그의 환경적 차이를 반대 이유로 들었다.
At the beginning of the conference, both broadcasting companies have given instability due to broadcasting rights, the lack of long-term plans for expanding the ProLeague, the differences in game stage & the management of tournaments as reasons for opposing.
하지만 프로리그 파행이라는 극단적인 사태를 막기 위해서 양대 방송사업자가 e스포츠협회의 요구를 전면 수용하기로 한 것
But to prevent an extreme situation called the destruction of ProLeague, both broadcasting companies to accommodate all of KeSPA’s requests.
온 게임넷 이현수 본부장은 “지금껏 리그를 만들어온 공로를 인정하는 차원에서 프로리그 방송사업을 계속할 수 있게 보장한다면 협회에서 요구하는 중계권을 수용하겠다”며 “양대 방송사의 프로리그에 대한 애착과 노력을 e-스포츠 관계자가 모두 공감했으면 한다”고 말했다.
OGN’s department head, Lee Hyun-Soo said, “As long as our efforts into creating the league to this day are recognized, if ProLeague broadcasting business is guaranteed, we will accept the broadcasting rights that the association is requiring. We hope that a person from e-sports will sympathize with all the affection and efforts to both companies’ ProLeague.”
1. 중계권 입찰 불참 후부터 IEG 선정까지 -프로리그가 원활하게 진행될 수 있도록 일정기간 동안 중계권의 대안이 될 수 있는 해결책 제안
2. IEG 선정 이후 프로리그에 대한 입장 1) 1차 협상안 -양대 방송사업자, 케이블TV와 위성TV에 대한 독점적 권한 요구 -기타 추가적인 방송권에 대한 IEG 독점권 인정 -IEG와 양방송사가 협조하여 프로리그 신규사업 개발
2) 2차 협상안(3월 6일 안) -중계권 인정(중계권료에 대한 부분은 추후 협상) -3년간 안정적인 비독점적 중계권 보장 -협회 주관사업의 투자 및 적극 협조(KESPA컵, E스포츠 대상 등) -프로리그 결과물을 통한 공동 소유 및 공동 사업
**The changes in the broadcasting companies’ stance in ProLeague broadcasting rights 1.From not participating in the bidding to the selection of IEG •For a fluid progression of ProLeague, proposed a temporary broadcasting rights alternative
2.After selection of IEG, their stance on ProLeague
1)First Negotiation •Demands exclusive broadcasting rights for cable and satellite TV •Accepts IEG’s rights on additional broadcasting material •IEG and the two companies (OGN and MBC) cooperate to create a new ProLeague enterprise
2.Second Negotiation (March 6th) •Acceptance of broadcasting rights (fees to be discussed at a later date) •Guarantee of stable non-exclusive broadcasting rights for the next 3 years •Investments and assistance in the association’s future business (KeSPA Cup, E-Sports Awards, etc) •Co-ownership and cooperative business through ProLeague results
At least it's all still stable and BW survives another day.
Also think of the benefit (like SonuvBob said) more sponsors can lead the emergence of more pro teams and possibly some acknowledgment from the foreign scene (maybe a US pro team!?).
I feel like I'm missing something though... why are people so angry at KeSPA? They obviously did this in order to make money, but their reasons (or excuses or whatever you want to call them) seem legitimate to me.
From what I've gathered, OGN and MBC have been enjoying a monopolistic market in SC broadcasts for a quite long time now. And as most people do, they have probably been slacking off, or at least not putting as much effort as they can. With the threat of other companies simply marching into the main scene and taking it over (after 3 years -.-), OGN and MBC have to make their tournaments bigger, the prize money higher, commentators better, players more attractive/appealing (Last Romantic: Hong Jin-Ho Fighting~), etc. to attract more people.
It's more or less giving the consumers a say in what they like and what they don't. Before, all we had was OGN and MBC. But what if we had 2 more leagues? What if there were lots of semi-annual or annual special invite-only tournaments?
Try to compare it to poker. With enough player-base and fan-base, I think SC can be more or less the same as Poker.
Of course, this is all under the reign of KeSPA but I don't think they will interfere as long as competition is healthy and they continue to receive fees. To me, the ideal condition would be KeSPA collecting minimal fees and keeping the companies under reasonable rules that they must follow to be able to broadcast/host tournaments.
Is there something wrong with my reasoning? Because it seems logical to me =/
Seating is always free, you just have to get there extremely early to get a decent seat. The only time you had to pay to see an SC event was during the exhibition between Boxer and Grrr for the last 1.07 event.
Any idea how much MBC/OGN had to pay for these 3 years of non-exclusive broadcast rights?
As things are now, KeSPA is going to pay for an organize all the ProLeague shows, and the broadcasters are going to provide commentary and put it on TV?
Another thought -- I don't think there will be like 50 major tournaments going on at once. Maybe like 10~20 major tournaments a year.
Companies hosting the tournaments will have to focus a lot on the reputation of the company because that will be a major attraction for both players and consumers. This, I believe, will noticeably increase the quality of e-sports. Maybe I'm just dreaming~
On March 08 2007 19:04 muramasa wrote: Any idea how much MBC/OGN had to pay for these 3 years of non-exclusive broadcast rights?
As things are now, KeSPA is going to pay for an organize all the ProLeague shows, and the broadcasters are going to provide commentary and put it on TV?
The specific number has yet to be discussed. I'm not sure what the role of OGN and MBC will be now. Since they hosted their own tournaments and broadcasted them. But I'd imagine it's a bigger role than what you are describing. edit: maybe it's going to be exactly what you described.
On March 08 2007 19:04 muramasa wrote: Any idea how much MBC/OGN had to pay for these 3 years of non-exclusive broadcast rights?
As things are now, KeSPA is going to pay for an organize all the ProLeague shows, and the broadcasters are going to provide commentary and put it on TV?
The specific number has yet to be discussed. I'm not sure what the role of OGN and MBC will be now. Since they hosted their own tournaments and broadcasted them. But I'd imagine it's a bigger role than what you are describing.
For their own tournaments sure. But it seems to me that KeSPA will have to do all the production work, if MBC and OGN only have broadcasting rights. It's equivalent to NBC or whoever broadcasting NFL games. Lets hope KeSPA knows what they're doing.
On March 08 2007 19:04 muramasa wrote: Any idea how much MBC/OGN had to pay for these 3 years of non-exclusive broadcast rights?
As things are now, KeSPA is going to pay for an organize all the ProLeague shows, and the broadcasters are going to provide commentary and put it on TV?
The specific number has yet to be discussed. I'm not sure what the role of OGN and MBC will be now. Since they hosted their own tournaments and broadcasted them. But I'd imagine it's a bigger role than what you are describing.
For their own tournaments sure. But it seems to me that KeSPA will have to do all the production work, if MBC and OGN only have broadcasting rights. It's equivalent to NBC or whoever broadcasting NFL games. Lets hope KeSPA knows what they're doing.
According to the IEG guy, KeSPA's been running things for a while now.
Hmm.. I think I'm understanding the situation more. And it looks like it's the fault of OGN and MBC for giving KeSPA too much power. They should have created an organization that just keeps track of pro gamers' records in reputable tournaments -- just that, no more. By allowing KeSPA to organize the tournaments, OGN and MBC brought this upon themselves.
Now, I'm starting to wonder why OGN and MBC aren't just breaking their ties with KeSPA and start fresh. Maybe because it'll ruin e-sports? >__<
Those folks in Korea probably know a heck of a lot more than me in business management so I'm sure their decision was the right one (I hope, anyway).
On March 08 2007 17:34 muramasa wrote: I'm glad that the ProLeague is going to be coming back, but I'm fairly sure this is a bad thing for pro gaming, long term.
I don't know how profitable OGN and MBCgame are (obviously), but having to buy the broadcast rights from KeSPA is going to cut into that profitability. I hope we don't see a decrease in production values or, even worse, a loss of interest in pro gaming by the broadcasters parent companies.
I have absolutely no proof, but I think OGN and MBC have been raking in too much money with ProLeague. The fact that they have accepted the offer means that there are still tons of profits to be realized even after paying the fees. The introduction of new competition can only do good for the whole e-sports community. All the companies will try to be better than others, offer more attractive features, etc. Who wins? The consumers ^^ Even if OGN and MBC give up Pro League, other companies will be able to take their place (I'm not guaranteeing it will be as good) and continue the development of e-sports.
I don't think it's a matter of OGN and MBC making "too much profit" so much as it was their crappy negotiating position. Through slight of hand KeSPA "got the rights" to broadcast the proleague that OGN and MBC ran and then sold off those rights, and now the new company is making OGN and MBC pay to broadcast the pro league that they created and run, even if KeSPA provides more than superficial assistance.
This doesn't create more competition. It puts the broadcast rights in the hands of one company who can do whatever it damn well pleases with them. The old system worked. The companies that make the tournament have incentive to do a good job broadcasting it. And with multiple tournaments each tournament creator is going to do the best tournament they can. Merging the OGN and MBC proleagues was not a good thing IMO, and now the ability to broadcast them is in the hands of one company.
The consumer got fucked, hard. As did OGN, MBC, and all of pro gaming.
According to the IEG guy, "KeSPA is and has been in charge of Proleague for awhile."
As I understand it, based on the FiFo translations and the news thread:
MBC and OGN had their own team leagues. They merged to form Voltron Proleague with KeSPA's help, and at some point (at the beginning?) KeSPA took over pretty much all the responsibilities except for broadcasting, which they left to MBC and OGN.
MBC and OGN are both represented on KeSPA's board. KeSPA is not stealing from them. They objected because they didn't like the idea of paying for what they've been getting for free.
Now the league (run by KeSPA) is fully independent of the broadcasters (and their respective pro teams), which makes everything more "professional".
The compromise they agreed to is that MBC and OGN will now pay for broadcasting rights, but they are guaranteed to be the primary Proleague broadcasters for the next 3 years.
I think you're right, if not, at least on the right track. Now, I think OGN and MBC made a bad decision to give too much power to KeSPA (i.e. allowing them to organize the tournament) because now it's that much harder to separate themselves from it.
KeSPA seems like exactly the right group to be running Proleague. As far as I know, every team sponsor (which includes OGN and MBC) has a spot on the board. I don't know who else does though.
On March 08 2007 20:03 SonuvBob wrote: KeSPA seems like exactly the right group to be running Proleague. As far as I know, every team sponsor (which includes OGN and MBC) has a spot on the board. I don't know who else does though.
I made a mistake while copying & pasting from MSWord D: Corrected part:
1)First Negotiation •Demands exclusive broadcasting rights for cable and satellite TV •Accepts IEG’s rights on additional broadcasting material •IEG and the two companies (OGN and MBC) cooperate to create a new ProLeague enterprise
lol it took me like 2 minutes to find out that this thread was moved to News >__< "zOMG where did my beautiful thread go?"
So that means SC will stay alive for at least 3 more years? XD
Anyways, I think as long as Kespa pays for all the production and OGN/MBC only does the broadcasting, everything is fine. I originally thought Kespa wanted OGN/MBC to do the broadcasting AND pay for all the production costs while paying Kespa -.-
On March 09 2007 00:17 ArC_man wrote: So that means SC will stay alive for at least 3 more years? XD
The reality of SC becoming far more permaneant is solidifying more and more. 3 years? pfft, as long as the players and the audience are there, I don't think SC is going anywhere.
hmm, i think this is very positive. dunno why ppl reacted like kespa is the bad guy in this story. they opened the gates to probably more pro-teams which will complicate things for current teams and make all of it more exciting for the crowd.
i mean aren't u getting bored with same old teams playing same old league each year-this will bring some positive changes, refresh the bw scene.
On March 09 2007 11:50 Dendra wrote: hmm, i think this is very positive. dunno why ppl reacted like kespa is the bad guy in this story. they opened the gates to probably more pro-teams which will complicate things for current teams and make all of it more exciting for the crowd.
i mean aren't u getting bored with same old teams playing same old league each year-this will bring some positive changes, refresh the bw scene.
because OGN and MBC havent just been doing broadcasting. They have been doing production and good things like keeping live shows free.
Now to stay alive, and avoid hurting the proscene, they have to give into kespas ridiculous demands.
EPT
(i have no idea if it was for pay, btw)
![[image loading]](http://www.e-sports.or.kr/kespa/images/img_sub2.gif)
![[image loading]](http://www.e-sports.or.kr/kespa/images/img_sub2_2.gif)
