Earlier this year, we reported on Google and Activision Blizzard teaming up. As of now, multiple reports have surfaced saying how much the former company paid Activision Blizzard to host its Overwatch League, Call of Duty esports stream, and Hearthstone championship on YouTube.
Google, YouTube, Blizzard, and Activision are no strangers to controversy. As a matter of fact, the quartet has a checkered past that even bleeds into current events happening right now.
Nevertheless, the deal between Google and Activision Blizzard is a multi-year partnership that sees these powerhouses sharing tech and other platforms to bolster profits.
That’s right, Google and Activision Blizzard have a multi-year strategic relationship that will see the pair working together in the foreseeable future, but we now know much Google’s subsidiary has paid Activision Blizzard for its esports exclusivity.
As per esportsobserver.com and gamesindustry.biz, Activision Blizzard received $160 million according to the two websites.
This $160 million covers Call of Duty, Overwatch, and Hearthstone. And as mentioned above, this will allow YouTube to broadcast the esports events for three years.
Sadly, we don’t know how much money Google and YouTube paid for each title (individually), but according to the two sites, it is said that the Call of Duty and Hearthstone esports league didn’t cost that much out of the three games.
Moreover, don’t be shocked if Google and YouTube continue to pay off other companies to host exclusive content on the video streaming platform that censors and demonetizes folks for the most minute things.
So what can we gather from all of this? Well, Google and YouTube see Activision Blizzard’s list of esports IPs as something worthy of holding hostage. From here on out, Google and Activision Blizzard will work together to bring gamers “premium network quality-of-service” and “high-fidelity games” on any device. However, YouTube won’t be the exclusive streaming partner in China.
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