Viewership doubling year over year
eSporps (yes, intentional), according to Super Data, has seen its viewership, “[increase] almost eight-fold in the last four years,” to about 71.5 million. Of those 71.5 million frequent watchers, as well as participants, 70% are male, mostly “affluent young males” between 21 and 34.
And they’re watching 19 times a month for more than two hours at a time, or as much time as I waste watching baseball, I guess. But that’s partially because it’s the only thing I use for white noise while doing something else. Hopefully that’s the same for the people watching that much eSports.
But maybe the chart below will suddenly rocket downwards as Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel seems to have reversed its decision on whether or not eSports are a real sport (with Bryant Gumbel). Or maybe the increasing amount of money at stake will continue to drive game fans to find alternative paths towards confusing or disappointing their parents.
eSports Market Brief: 71M watch competitive gaming [Super Data]
