While Twitch.tv remains the premier streaming site, Hitbox.tv is making its way into the foreground with a massive leap forward.
ESL and Hitbox have come to an agreement, giving Hitbox a two year broadcasting contract. This covers all ESL events from DotA 2 and CCS:GO to World of Tanks and Minecraft. This deal bodes well for Hitbox and their viewership especially in countries without amazing internet frameworks – who generally cannot watch Twitch properly. The list of games that ESL's Hitbox Channel will be broadcasting is as follows:
- DotA 2
- CS:GO
- CS:GO b
- League of Legends
- Rainbow 6 Siege
- Heroes of the Storm
- Hearthstone
- Starcraft 2
- Minecraft
- Battlefield 4
Amidst all the excitement of the new deal, Hitbox's CEO and co-founder had this to say,
"We are glad to announce that from now on, our viewers will be able to watch ESL-produced content in the highest definition and lowest delay live on Hitbox. Global esport tournament series like ESL One and the prestigious Intel Extreme Masters are just two out of the many incredible events ESL has organized in the past and we at Hitbox are nothing but delighted about future ESL broadcasts live from packed stadiums around the globe!"
This would mean that the upcoming ESL One Manila 2016 tournament will be viewable by everyone, including those who did not have a chance to enjoy their previous tournaments.