Sky and ITV have taken minority stakes in Ginx as it launches a 24-hour videogaming channel in the UK and Ireland.
The rebranded Ginx eSports TV will launch on Sky on June 23.
It was previously only available in the UK through Virgin Media.
Ginx eSports TV will showcase major eSports tournaments from across the globe, as well as unique, independent programming. The schedule will include coverage of Turner’s Eleague tournament, FACEIT‘s eSports Championship Series, and Valve’s The International Dota 2, which Ginx eSports TV will be covering live from its new King’s Cross studio.
Michiel Bakker, Ginx TV Ltd. CEO said: “Ginx eSports TV aims to add significant mainstream TV exposure to the fast growing eSports ecosystem. Complementing online streaming, with an entertainment-led approach, the launch on Sky and the rebrand across all our 37 million households allows us to help new audiences discover eSports and hopefully gives core fans a fresh perspective.”
Virgin Media’s parent, Liberty Global is a shareholder in ITV.
Simon Pitts ITV’s managing director of online, pay and interactive said: “eSports is experiencing phenomenal growth and Ginx’s vision is to bring together two incredibly popular forms of entertainment – gaming and television – to create a unique, global proposition. We’re delighted to be partnering with Ginx and Sky as part of our strategy to target younger audiences, develop new programming genres and expand internationally.”
Last December Ginx raised £569,090 through a crowd funding exercise.
