Esports broadcasts often face downtime between matches, as game durations vary widely—some end in 30 minutes, while others stretch for hours due to overtime or intense stalemates. To manage these gaps, organizers use various strategies, which, as noted by Esports Charts, can significantly impact viewership metrics.
Esports Charts has analyzed gaming and non-gaming viewership across numerous tournaments, comparing how much total broadcast and watch time is spent on gameplay versus intermissions. This data highlights differences in broadcasting approaches and reveals trends in non-gaming content.
Online events often have longer breaks than offline tournaments due to scheduling challenges. For example, the ESL One Malaysia 2022 Europe/CIS Closed Qualifier saw 54.6% of its broadcast time filled with non-gaming content because of delays. Many events rely on simple countdowns to signal the next match, but this approach often causes viewers to tune out.
For instance, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang’s MPL leagues stick to a countdown format for their offline events, partly to allow in-person attendees to take breaks. However, this approach results in low viewership during intermissions. The MPL Indonesia Season 14 spent over 20% of its broadcast time on breaks, yet these only contributed 5.1% of the total watch time—a missed opportunity to engage viewers with more compelling content.
Some tournaments invest in high-production non-gaming segments, but even these can struggle to retain viewers. Events like The International 10 and LCK Summer 2021 featured team intros, analysis, and interviews but still saw low engagement compared to casual events like Smash Ultimate Summit 3 and the Ludwig x Tarik Invitational. These casual broadcasts, with relaxed commentary and community-driven content, earned a higher proportion of watch time for non-gaming segments.
Special Events
Special events like showmatches also help bridge gaps between games. For example, the Fortnite World Cup 2019 Finals included a Creative Cup led by popular creators, drawing millions of hours watched. Similarly, Counter-Strike’s PGL Major Stockholm 2021 hosted a showmatch with legendary players, though it fell short of its potential by not involving a more diverse group of creators.
Opening ceremonies are another way to captivate audiences. Events like Worlds 2024, which held its ceremony just before the finals, achieved peak viewership by aligning the timing with high-interest matches. In contrast, ceremonies held earlier in tournaments, like at the M5 World Championship, often fail to maximize their audience.
Ultimately, while formal non-gaming segments may fall flat, casual content featuring players, personalities, and fun activities tends to keep fans engaged. To make the most of intermissions, organizers should prioritize content that resonates with their audience and creates a lively, inclusive atmosphere.