2019-09-07 – Overwatch League 2019 Season / Photo: Robert Paul for Blizzard Entertainment
2019-09-07 - Overwatch League 2019 Season / Photo: Robert Paul for Blizzard Entertainment
2020 is poised to be one of the most important in Overwatch's history. The homestand format is going to try to sell the league to local markets, and YouTube has bought in bigtime. Today the OWL announced that they've reached a multi-year deal with YouTube for exclusive rights to stream the league.
There's been uncertainty coming out out of the Overwatch League over the month. Multiple exits from casting and desk talent, a packed travel schedule and the lack of a streaming deal cast a dark cloud over the OWL. But with the new deal there should be some semblance of stability coming back to the scene.
Chris Puckett was one of the first desk talents to announce his departure from the OWL.<br><em>2019-09-12 - Overwatch League 2019 Season / Photo: Robert Paul for Blizzard Entertainment</em>
The Overwatch League's previous deal with Twitch had a reported value of $90 Million+ for two years. The new YouTube deal, however, includes a litany of Blizzard game's properties including Call of Duty League, World of Warcraft Mythic Dungeon runs and Hearthstone championships. The move essentially makes YouTube a onestop shop for all things Activistion/Blizzard.
