China to stop broadcast of S.Korean LoL league

The Chinese gov’t is supposedly wary of Korean e-sports expanding its local market share

China to stop broadcast of S.Korean LoL league
Ju-Hyun Lee 1
2024-01-17 16:11:00 deep@hankyung.com
Korean games

China will stop the official broadcast of League of Legends (LoL) Champions Korea (LCK), according to the South Korean game industry.

“There would be no longer broadcast of the LCK in China,” 957 Ke Chang-Yu, a commentator of the Chinese League of Legends Pro League (LPL) said on his SNS channel.

Riot Games Korea, which oversees the LCK, confirmed China's LCK broadcast suspension.

"Due to the lack of a broadcast rights holder in China, official Chinese-language LCK broadcasts will not be available for the time being," a Riot Games Korea source said. 

When asked if the suspension was related to recent restrictions on South Korean cultural content in China, the company explained that they were not aware of the specific situation in China.

The Chinese government is supposedly wary of Korean e-sports expanding its local market share. 

In a recent tournament called the Demacia Cup hosted by the LPL, South Korean players were sometimes not shown on camera, potentially due to political sensitivities.

The LPL, alongside the LCK, divides the global League of Legends e-sports market.

Many of South Korean gamers are active in the LPL.

Write to Ju-Hyun Lee at deep@hankyung.com

Faker’s T1 wins League of Legends global championship

Faker’s T1 wins League of Legends global championship

T1’s Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok wins the 2023 League of Legends World Championship (Courtesy of Riot Games) South Korea’s video game team T1 led by local hero and professional player Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok won the 2023 League of Legends World Championship, its fo

Kia sponsors LoL e-sport world tourney for 5th straight year

Kia sponsors LoL e-sport world tourney for 5th straight year

For the fifth straight year, Kia Corp. is a sponsor at the e-sport tournament League of Legends (LoL) European Championship (LEC).The tournament has expanded its scope to the Middle East and Africa, and coupled with Europe, the three markets are where Hyundai Motor Group is aggressively seekin

(* comment hide *}