38 Years After First ESPN Broadcast, Skillz Unveils World's First eSports Ticker
New Technology Automates Broadcast Narrative for 385 Million eSports Viewers Worldwide
Sep 07, 2017, 10:00 ET
SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 7, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Skillz, the leader in mobile eSports, announced today that the world's first eSports streaming ticker has been released to the public. The new product builds on the recently announced Skillz video broadcast patents, delivering automated play-by-play commentary including stats, facts and real-time matchup information. Skillz ticker technology enhances the company's eSports broadcast suite to close the content quality gap between eSports streams on sites like Amazon's Twitch and broadcasts on networks like ESPN, which debuted with SportsCenter exactly 38 years ago today on September 7, 1979.
The eSports ticker is a scrolling text bar inside a video broadcast that offers dynamic facts about the tournament, competitors, streamer and Skillz system trends. The ticker provides context-based statistical information about the specific game in which the players are competing, including worldwide performance averages and all-time high scores. The ticker ensures that competitors receive the recognition they deserve and fans enjoy a richer, more engaging spectator experience.
"In 1979, ESPN debuted, revolutionizing the spectator experience in the homes of fans," said Andrew Paradise, CEO and founder of Skillz. "Now, 38 years later, we are thrilled to announce the first eSports ticker enhancing the viewing experience for millions of eSports fans worldwide."
Broadcasting has been integral to bringing eSports to the mainstream sports audience, and the Skillz eSports ticker technology improves the content that streamers broadcast on leading sites such as Amazon's Twitch and Google's YouTube. Twitch alone averages over 9.7 million daily active users, half of which spend over 20 hours a week on the platform. According to Newzoo's Market Report, the audience for eSports grew almost 20 percent between 2016 and 2017 to 385 million people total. Newzoo projects 303 million occasional viewers and 286 million enthusiasts by 2020.
In August, Skillz announced that it was granted a patent for the technology behind Skillz Arena, an eSports event platform through which streamers can host and broadcast mobile eSports competitions with up to 50,000 players. Skillz Arena provides streamers, brands, non-profits, and venues the ability to run their own eSports tournaments with real prizes, live video streams, leaderboards, and dynamic overlays that fit seamlessly into a streamer's existing content.
For more information on streaming Skillz games via Skillz Arena and utilizing the eSports ticker technology, visit www.corp.skillz.com/streamers/ or email live@skillz.com.
About Skillz
Skillz, the leading mobile eSports platform, connects the world's 2.6 billion mobile gamers through competition. It is the first eSports business to top the Inc. 500 as the fastest-growing private company in America, and the first eSports company ever named the CNBC Disruptor 50. Over 12 million gamers use Skillz to compete in mobile games across 3,000+ game studios. Skillz awarded more than 46 percent of all eSports prizes and broadcast over 40 million minutes of footage to spectators worldwide in 2016. Founded in 2012, Skillz is headquartered in San Francisco and backed by leading venture capitalists as well as the owners of the New England Patriots, Milwaukee Bucks and New York Mets. To learn more, visit www.skillz.com.
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Roxie Bostwick
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Skillz Inc.
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SOURCE Skillz