Overwatch Closes Network TV Deals

The Overwatch League has been recently reported to have closed deals to be broadcasted on network television channels ESPN, Disney, and ABC. The deals includes broadcasts of the OWL playoffs for season 1, the finals in the Barclays Center in New York, and the entire OWL season 2 next year. This is not the first esports competition broadcasted on television, but it is the first a long lasting contract between the two large networks that has been formed for esports in the US. For ABC and ESPN, this will be the first time their viewers will be exposed to Overwatch, and in the midst of the playoffs no less. ESPN has stated that they will be taking advantage of that fact in order to create additional content to help attract more of the viewership to adopting esports.

Overwatch broadcasts will be divided between the two networks and their side channels. The schedule for 2018 is ( in ET):

Wed, July 11 @ 8 p.m. & 10 p.m. Day 1 of Quarterfinals Disney XD, ESPN3

Fri, July 13 @ 8 p.m. Day 2 of Quarterfinals Disney XD, ESPN3

Sat, July 14 @ 4 p.m. Day 3 of Quarterfinals Disney XD, ESPN3

Wed, July 18 @ 8 p.m. & 10 p.m. Day 1 of Semifinals Disney XD, ESPN3

Fri, July 20 @ 7 p.m. Day 2 of Semifinals ESPNEWS

Sat, July 21 @ 7 p.m. Day 3 of Semifinals ESPN2

Fri, July 27 @ 7 p.m. Day 1 of Finals ESPN

Sat, July 28 @ 4:30 p.m. Day 2 of Finals Disney XD, ESPN3

Sat, July 28 @ 9 p.m. Day 2 of Finals ESPN2 (re-air)

Sun, July 29 @ 3 p.m. Highlights Recap ABC, ESPN3

Be sure to check out the Overwatch League on ESPN, Disney, and ABC!