The Inaugural Season of LEC Draws Impressive Viewer Numbers
The first season of the newly-franchised and rebranded League of Legends European Championship (LEC) has recorded an impressive viewership of 400,000 across all platforms. The viewership numbers include Twitch and YouTube, where the main Riot Games channel was combined with other language broadcasts such as LVPes, OgamingLoL, SummonersInnLive, and Polsatgames.
Promising Start Despite Early Broadcasting Issues
Although there were some early broadcasting issues, including delays and the remaking of a match between Fnatic and SK Gaming, the LEC had a promising opening day. These initial hurdles did not overshadow the excitement surrounding the league and its new format.
Comparison with European LCS
In comparison, the European League of Legends Championship Series (LCS) recorded an average viewership of 154,000 during the 2018 Spring Split, which was significantly lower than their North American counterparts. It is too early to determine whether the LEC will maintain its momentum in the coming weeks, but the strong start indicates a positive trajectory.
European Shift in Hype and Storylines
The surge in viewership could be attributed to curiosity surrounding the new LEC broadcast and its format. Traditionally, the NA LCS has been the more popular league, despite North America’s lack of success at the League of Legends World Championship. However, this year, Europe has become the center of attention with captivating storylines and roster changes taking place on their soil.
In addition, the LEC broadcast has undergone significant improvements. With Riot now offering rewards for watching, such as icons, emotes, and blue essence, similar to the Overwatch League, viewership is expected to increase further in 2019.
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