Esports-dedicated channel ESTV has announced a multi-year partnership with sim racing esports league the Lionheart Racing Series.
The partnership will see Lionheart’s events, including its Indycar, Speedway, and Retro series, from the 2021 season air on ESTV. Per the deal’s terms, a total of 116 broadcasts will appear on the network.
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According to the release, ESTV’s partnership is expected to showcase Lionheart’s events ‘to the global esports community’.
ESTV Chief Executive Officer Eric Yoon commented on the partnership in a release: “We are thrilled to be partnering with Lionheart Racing Series to feature IndyCar racing events on ESTV’s worldwide esports channel. Sim Racing enthusiasts alike can now find round-the-clock esports and esports-related programming for free on ESTV channel.”
The multi-year agreement is the result of Lionheart’s successful race broadcasts on ESTV last year, including the 2020 HyperX Indianapolis 500, which served as its most-viewed event. The three Lionheart Racing Series events encompassing the rights deal are estimated to generate more than 1.75m views in 2021.
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Lionheart Racing Series Founder Jorge Anzaldo added: “Part of Lionheart’s plan for long term growth is to continue promoting sim racing and the iRacing platform. I truly feel that sim racing’s popularity will continue to grow over the next few years. This growth will eventually bring Lionheart into the eSports stadium and ESTV is what will get us there.”
Launched in May 2019, ESTV is a linear network dedicated to providing esports programming, this includes event coverage and shoulder content through a wide variety of linear and OTT distribution services. ESTV holds partnerships with the NFL Alumni Association, Sony Music, and the International Esports Federation.
Esports Insider says: ESTV has spent several years laying the groundwork for its rapid market expansion, primarily focusing on diverse and international distribution channels. Sim racing itself was a popular category in 2020, and it’s likely this content will continue to perform well through the new year on the network.