How do I watch NA challenger?

KraelKills·Jun 14, 2017·1 votes·1,695 views

Are not all of the challenger matches broadcast? I thought they at least streamed all of them, even if there weren't shout-casters; but I can't seem to find any ways of watching today's matches.

7 Comments

Pippen The ShortJun 14, 20171 votes

You can't, at least not live. You can watch VOD's and tapes if the teams themselves record and post the game.

**Update; there is a Youtube page by EpicSkillshot that has full game footage that's been shoutcasted by some of Riot's casters.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7KMGnvBVd0&index=3&list=PLVgS_BIOY01xnK15pBHYWEeYq4CWxVqNi

Update #2. it's only the Spring season. So I guess you can't really.

PaquayJun 14, 20172 votes

They actually only do one match on Thursday I believe. It just changed this split.

Basically, it appears Riot feels like the challenger series is not worth broadcasting or releasing vods for.

Seemingly, Riot wants to stunt the growth of the Esports scene here, as restricting availability of games is counterproductive towards growth.

Pippen The ShortJun 14, 20171 votes

I did see that actually, but last week they didn't stream it, at least not on any of their usual places.

PaquayJun 14, 20173 votes

I didn't catch it live, but I'm pretty sure they said they would do one live match per week on Thursdays. Not sure if it will be on Twitch or YouTube.

I find it highly disappointing they are not streaming or making all the games available. Especially with the Twitch all-stars all playing (and evidently getting smashed) on the same team. Disappointing Riot, disappointing.

Pippen The ShortJun 14, 20172 votes

Yeah, the Delta Fox games would probably garner as much interest as any LCS match alone.

I imagine that this split more has to do with the structure changes that will be implemented beginning of next year, so they're giving teams some freedom this split before taking it all away next split.

PaquayJun 14, 20171 votes

I just checked in YouTube and it looks like imaqtpie's channel has one of the DF games. In a week it's gotten 1.3 million views.

I'd be willing to bet that's more viewers than they had for the LCS spring split finals after a week.

Miror BJun 14, 20171 votes

Not exactly "stunting" the growth of esports by not releasing challenger vods. While I too am kinda disappointed (being able to watch selfie do what he did to the EUCS in NA is always something worth looking at), the lack of an end reward makes it kinda make sense. Format's changing in 2018, so barring the actual prize $ there's literally no reward due to the promotion tournament having zero value whatsoever.