According to a recent study, esports viewership experienced a significant rise of 9% in 2023 compared to the previous year. However, livestreaming's weekly average viewership witnessed a slight dip during the same period. These findings were revealed in the yearly livestreaming trends report from Stream Hatchet, the streaming analytics platform owned by FaZe Clan owner GameSquare.
In 2023, a staggering 2.5 billion hours of esports events were watched, indicating a substantial increase in viewership. It is important to note that this data includes a wide range of esports events, not just mainstream ones. This inclusivity contributes to the overall growth observed year over year, marking an impressive 92% increase since 2019.
The first and second quarters of 2023 were particularly noteworthy for esports viewership, setting new records. In fact, Q2 emerged as the second-highest quarter of all time, with 678 million hours watched. This trend showcases the growing popularity of esports as a form of entertainment.
While the weekly average for livestreaming experienced a decline of 3.3% in 2023, it is worth noting that this represents a bounce back from the significant drop of 13.8% observed between 2021 and 2022. Furthermore, the weekly average for 2023 surpasses that of 2020 by 4 million hours, indicating a positive trajectory.
The Stream Hatchet report offers additional insights on livestreaming trends and can be accessed for more in-depth analysis. GameSquare CEO Justin Kenna emphasized the continued growth of esports livestreaming since 2019, highlighting its increasing adoption as a form of media and entertainment. Kenna also mentioned that the overall livestreaming market is returning to normalcy following the peak in viewership experienced in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Looking ahead, Kenna predicts that 2024 will continue to show growth in esports livestreaming. Factors contributing to this growth include the rise of co-streaming channels, the development of new worlds within popular games, and the highly anticipated launch of several new games throughout the year.
As the esports industry continues to flourish, notable figures like professional gamer and popular streamer Tyler 'Ninja' Blevins, who currently holds the position of chief innovation officer at GameSquare, play a crucial role in shaping its future.
Overall, the 9% increase in esports viewership and the recovery of livestreaming's weekly average viewership in 2023 underscore the ongoing expansion and normalization of esports as a form of entertainment. With promising projections for the coming years, the future of esports and livestreaming looks incredibly bright.
