CBLOL Surpasses LCS in Viewership for 2023 Spring Split
According to stats aggregation site Esports Charts, CBLOL has outperformed the LCS in terms of viewership during the 2023 Spring Split. While the LCS had a peak viewership of 271,376 and an average of around 109,000 viewers per game, CBLOL reached a peak viewership of 276,078 and averaged just over 111,000 viewers throughout the league’s Spring campaign.
Shift in LCS Broadcasting Schedule Disappoints North American Fans
Although some North American fans may find this news shocking, it doesn’t come as a surprise to others. At the end of 2022, Riot Games announced that LCS games would be held during the week, with the broadcasts starting around 12 pm PT.
This change in broadcasting dates and times has made it nearly impossible for LCS fans to watch their favorite NA teams compete on the Rift. Many fans have expressed their frustration with this decision, calling it “stupid.” Additionally, some have suggested that the LCS is slowly losing its fan base.
Even before these changes, the LCS viewership was already declining. This raises concerns about the future of the LCS if no changes are made to address the current situation.
Thriving Viewership in Other Regions
While the LCS has been facing challenges in terms of viewership in North America, other regions have seen success.
In China, the LPL attracted 200,576 viewers at its peak. Meanwhile, Korea’s LCK season dominated in terms of viewership, with a peak of just under 1.5 million viewers during the 2023 Spring Split. This could be attributed to Korea’s deep esports culture.
Brazil’s premier league, CBLOL, is also experiencing growth and continues to achieve new viewership metrics, further strengthening its South American fandom.