The expansion of eSports into the mainstream has been one of the defining features of 2015 so far, with companies like ESPN moving into what is obviously a growing sector, and today the world’s richest broadcasting network joined the party. Although BBC3 isn’t the biggest outlet the British Broadcasting Corporation have, the news that they will stream all four days of the quarter finals online is still a big step for both League and the BBC, and has the fans pretty excited too.

Beginning on Thursday 15 October, and hosted by Radio 1 DJ and avid gamer Dev Griffin, the event will be available to all fans not able to make it to the arena proper. With gaming casters Leigh ‘Deman’ Smith and James ‘Stress’ O’Leary offering their expert commentary this is still very much a League stream offered rather than a full-on attempt by the Beeb to create their own LoL team and setup, but with the channel under threat of closure it may also turn out to be significant for BBC3 if successful.

Damian Kavanagh, currently the controller of BBC Three, seems excited about what could be a new and even groundbreaking partnership. "We jumped at the chance to collaborate with BBC Sport and bring this massive UK event to a wider audience. BBC Three will always experiment with new ways to deliver content that young people want, in ways they want.” Likewise League legend and commentator Leigh ‘Deman’ Smith is looking forward to the event: "I'm delighted to be part of the BBC's coverage at Wembley Arena. Worlds has been amazing so far and it's great to see the BBC getting involved and raising awareness of eSports in the UK."

With close to 30 million players online every day and 70 million hours watched online during the 2014 event it remains to be seen if this can really be a significant partnership, but it’s clear why the corporation has taken this risk at this time. With the event happening at Wembley it will be interesting to see what impact this will have on the League scene at the popularity of the game in the UK, but whatever the outcome this represents a new platform for the biggest eSport on the planet.

Quotes courtesy of BBC.co.uk
Social media image courtesy of @FollowDeman's twitter, taken by Stephen 'Snoopeh' Ellis