Ever since the LCS started to dip in viewership over the years, North American League of Legends fans have wondered what could be causing issues for one of the game’s staple regions. A new video by Travis Gafford, has sparked conversation around the current schedule Riot has applied that is supposedly “crushing” viewership numbers.
Over the last month, LCS supporters have complained about the new schedule that the league has adopted, right off the heels of the league’s return to best-of-threes in the regular season. Even though the change was originally applauded, fans quickly realized there was a massive three-week break in the middle of the season.
Travis and many other fans have pointed out the schedule’s lack of consistency, which leads to many problems for viewers, players, and content creators alike. Fans can’t discern when they’ll be able to watch games because the schedule is always changing, and players can’t maintain momentum through a season with such long breaks.
This leads to a huge disconnect between the League fanbase and the LCS product, and the proof can be seen in the LCS’ dwindling viewership numbers. This season, for example, the LCS has a concurrent average of about 80,000 viewers on a broadcast day, according to Esports Charts.
In comparison, the CBLOL has a concurrent average of about 126,000 viewers, while the LCK boasts 259,000 average viewers. The problem doesn’t lie with the product, either. Teams are performing at a great level, there are stars and rising NA prospects with exciting storylines, but the scheduling just hasn’t allowed any room to regrow a consistent and dedicated fanbase.
If fans can’t get into the rhythm of the LCS, the broadcast can’t naturally become part of their daily routine since potential supporters will have to keep up with all of the changes and breaks that stop them from enjoying games as often. Casual viewers will be less inclined to tune in, longtime fans will become exhausted with the forever schedule shuffle, and ultimately, they will all end up watching something else.
