Several months ago, popular gaming website IGN launched a weekly, pre-recorded show covering esports. Hosted by Kevin Knocke, the show has covered all of the major games and even some of the lesser known ones, focusing on production, big name guests, and interesting stories. Now, IGN has announced a new show: IGN Esports Today. IGN stated that they plan on using their segment to cover the most popular games and will allow listeners to participate. IGN Esports Today will fill a daily, one-hour time slot on SiriusXM Bleacher Report Radio.
Esports, and video games in general, have been relatively absent from traditional entertainment sources. Instead, gamers have forged their own path, making sites like Twitch unique yet popular. Even so, television and radio still dominate the entertainment industry and reach the masses with ease.
Esports radio shows do already exist. For example,
pwnedradio in Detroit, Michigan is a video game radio show that incorporates esports segments. In Chicago, Illinois,
Esports Radio Now is a weekly show hosted on a sports station that brings on guests and encourages community call-ins. However, the reach of SiriusXM radio on an already popular channel, Bleacher Report, will have a larger reach. Bleacher Report aiding IGN by giving them a timeslot on their radio channel is yet another example of the sports industry warming up to esports. ESPN made headlines when they opened up an esports news section and have since hired some of the biggest names in esports journalism.
With competitive gaming on the come-up, expect more mainstream attention in the future!
