Collectively, the broadcast and cable television deals will bring more than 20 hours of original programming from the World Series of Video Games to audiences in the United States, with international distribution also in the works. Each network will explore a unique aspect of the WSVG, providing audiences with a window into the exciting culture of video game competitions and budding stars of the gaming world.
In its inaugural year, the WSVG has attracted the attention of multiple television programmers. The first to recognize the circuit’s mass appeal was VOOM’s GAMEPLAY HD, which to date has produced 11 hours of programming focused on WSVG’s high-intensity action, and is the WSVG’s exclusive high-definition television partner.
CBS’ broadcast will mark the first appearance for professional video game competitions on U.S. broadcast network television.
“Earlier this year, we envisioned that the World Series of Video Games presented by Intel would have more television coverage than any other video game tournament to date,” said Matt Ringel, president of Games Media Properties. “We’re pleased to deliver on that goal with a powerful array of broadcast partners that share our passion and commitment to bring the excitement of video game competitions to a wider audience.”
CBS is scheduled to air They Got Game, Stars of the World Series of Video Games presented by Intel on December 30 at 3 p.m. The one-hour special, hosted by Quddus and produced by Juma Entertainment, tells the compelling personal stories of five rising stars of the competitive video gaming world. Filmed during the World Series of Video Games Finals and on location from the gamers’ hometowns, the program focuses on Johnathan “Fatal1ty” Wendel, the world champion gamer who has become the “Michael Jordan” of the sport; David “Moto” Geffon, whose decision to go pro bucked the tradition of his family of lawyers; Shannon “Mary Jane” Ridge, the minister’s daughter who is now a Halo run-and-gunner; Matt “Ballistics” Powers whose prowess at “Ghost Recon” is honed as a Sergeant at maximum security prison Pelican Bay and tempered as a father of two.
MTV recently premiered Inside the World Series of Video Games, a half-hour special on the establishment of The World Series of Video Games and the rise of professional video gaming as a full-fledged sport and professional circuit. Produced by GAMEPLAY HD, the special spotlighted several top competitors as they traveled around the world participating in WSVG events in Louisville, Dallas, London, Sweden, and China, vying for a place in the World Series of Video Games Finals in New York. Inside the World Series of Video Games appeared on MTV in prime time on November 17, with ongoing rebroadcasts on MTV2 and on www.games.mtv.com.
CSTV: College Sports Television, a CBS company, will produce and air complete coverage of the first World Series of Video Games Finals as part of a five-week series Sundays at 9 p.m. ET beginning January 21, 2007. The program will be shot at the CSTV Field House at Chelsea Piers Sports and Entertainment Complex in New York City. 95 gamers who qualified on the WSVG Circuit in 2006 will be flown to New York to compete in the three day competition. Each one-hour episode will feature players competing on a broad array of Intel PC and Xbox games, including Counter Strike 1.6; Quake 4; Warcraft III: Frozen Throne; Halo 2; Project Gotham Racing 3 and Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter. Additionally, CSTV will launch a new World Series of Video Games broadband channel on cstv.com which will carry the live Team Sportscast Network streamcast of the Finals.
Matt Ringel added, “CSTV is the ideal partner for covering our 2006 Finals. Video games competitions share much in common with the energy, excitement and audience of collegiate sports. CSTV also has one of the best digital media platforms for sports content, so this is a particularly appropriate fit for us.”
VOOM’s GAMEPLAY HD, the only 24/7 high-definition video-game network, continues its extensive coverage of the 2006 WSVG major tournaments. During the month of December episodes will focus on the WSVG events in Kentucky, Texas and Sweden and will air additional episodes in February. Additionally, throughout the month, fans can log onto www.gameplayhd.com to watch streaming online video of GAMEPLAY HD’s WSVG coverage. A new episode will be posted online every Friday at 8:00pm ET and remain available throughout the week.