Twitch adds sports category, relaunches dedicated sports channel - Upcomer
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Category:
Sports

Twitch adds sports category, relaunches dedicated sports channel

Image of Dylan Tate
Dylan Tate
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Published: Jul 22, 2020 12:00 pm

This article is over 4 years old and may contain outdated information

Twitch has recently taken steps to strengthen its status as a sports broadcasting platform. This has included the introduction of a new “Sports” category and the reintroduction of the Twitch Sports channel.

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Previously, Twitch had already begun to host content from a variety of major sports leagues. Fans could use the Amazon-owned streaming service to watch the NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL, UFC, and more. Now, Twitch has streamlined the viewing process by introducing a brand new browsing category. In the Sports directory, viewers can easily find the best live sports channels.

To complement this new category, the platform has relaunched the “Twitch Sports” channel. Former Major League Soccer player Jimmy Conrad is currently hosting a showcase on this channel. During the stream, Conrad will highlight content from the NBA, House of Highlights, Arsenal F.C., and the UFC.

Even when it is not broadcasting new content, the Twitch Sports channel functions as another way to find sports streams. The channel has a “Featured Streams Guide,” directing viewers to live and upcoming athletic events.

More about Twitch’s new sports focus

As part of its new sports initiative, Twitch has also announced deals with four major soccer clubs. Real Madrid, Arsenal F.C., Juventus, and Paris Saint-Germain will all create exclusive content for Twitch. This is in addition to the numerous sports channels already broadcasting on the platform.

Amidst the coronavirus pandemic, Twitch has provided an outlet for athletes to stay in contact with their fans. Some sporting events were even replaced with online variants streamed on Twitch. One notable example was the eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series in March.

Though it has traditionally been known primarily for its gaming and esports streams, Twitch has made it clear that it has much more to offer to its viewers. Recently, Twitch signed a streaming contract with rapper and producer Logic, making him Twitch’s first official music partner. Sports broadcasting is the next step as the platform attempts to grow as a broader entertainment service.

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Author
Image of Dylan Tate
Dylan Tate
Dylan Tate is an alumnus of the Hussman School of Journalism and Media at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is a gaming journalist with a love for Nintendo esports, particularly Super Smash Bros. and Pokémon.
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