NBCLX Bolsters Programming Lineup With Esports Content

Esports audiences can add NBCLX, a new TV and OTT network designed for millennials and Gen Z-ers, to their must-watch lists. Beginning, Monday, November 16, NBCLX will be featuring esports titles from ESR 24/7 eSports Channel that include holiday-themed video game mini-challenges, competitions, and interviews with esports insiders. Audiences can watch NBCLX’s programming for free on LX.com (no login required), on Roku and on Apple TV, YouTube TV, and Fubo TV through NBC owned station apps, on linear TV in 43 U.S. markets, and cable and digital platforms. Click here to access NBCLX’s channel listings.

“We are thrilled for NBCLX to present esports competitive entertainment to our audiences for the very first time,” says Matt Goldberg, VP of Content Strategy, NBCLX. “Esports is a global phenomenon. We cannot wait to welcome the esports community and fans to our network.”

NBCLX’s esports programming schedule features:

• Thanksgaming (Begins November 16) – Sibling rivals, punchy cousins and former best friends duke it out in a series of video game competitions married with trivia questions; all for the chance to be named ‘Grandma’s Favorite’ in the final round.
• Age of Coronavirus (Begins November 22) – Host Chase Kuertz interviews esport insiders worldwide from New York City as they grapple with and share their unique perspectives in this new age of digital communication and social distancing.
• Holiday Smash (Begins December 11) – Friends and family come together to challenge each other to a series of video games and holiday-themed mini challenges to see if they have what it takes to be ‘Santa’s Little Helper.’
• Toast with the Most (Begins December 28) – The best of the best from previous eSports Times holiday game shows face off against each other to see who is the toast with the most.
• Playing with Words (2021) – A host invites a guest over for a friendly game as they exchange conversation in several topics all-the-while competing and playing in teams.
• Kills, Thrills & Chills (2021) – Two hosts wrangle several players together to find out who can finish the scariest games without a scream and seize the prestigious title ‘Final Girl.’

“NBCLX is smart to engage the exploding eSports audience,” says Wendy Wang, CEO of ESR. “Our high-quality but down-to-earth, home-brew entertainment will connect with ordinary gamers and non-gamers, as opposed to flashy shows focused only on elite players.”

According to Newzoo, there will be 2.7 billion gamers worldwide in 2020 and the global total esports audience is expected to reach 495 million people this year. This includes 272 million occasional viewers and 223 million esports enthusiasts. In the next three years, the global esports total audience growth is expected to increase to 646 million people.

Audiences can also tune in to NBCLX to watch “LX News,” a live news program that features a new storytelling approach to news that is personal, inspiring, thought-provoking and community focused, and programming from Jukin Media, Tastemade, The Dodo and Storytelling Spotlights from The New York Times video journalists.