LoL fans furious as LPL English broadcast suddenly gets shut down

As a long-time fan who’s been following the League of Legends scene for years, I must admit that this news about the LPL English broadcast coming to an end in 2025 has left me feeling quite melancholic. The LPL community has always held a special place in my heart, not just as a fan, but also as a stepping stone for numerous talented casters such as Dagda, Hysterics, Aux, Emily Rand, and IWDominate himself. It was a vibrant hub where aspiring casters could hone their skills and rise to prominence in the industry.


Regarding the League of Legends competition, China stands among the most powerful regions globally. But, starting from 2025, there will be no separate English broadcast for the LPL (China’s professional league) according to Riot’s announcement.

Over the last several years, teams from regions such as BLG and Weibo have repeatedly shown their prowess on the international stage in League of Legends (LoL). It’s clear that when it comes to competing at the highest level, China is the only region that can challenge South Korea.

Nevertheless, Western fans’ interest seems to be declining. The frequent game days and complications arising from time zone differences have made it challenging for many to follow the league. For most of the regular season, average viewership on the primary broadcast was around 10k, while co-streamers maintained a considerable fanbase in their individual streams.

In the gaming world, I’ve learned that Riot Games has chosen to pass the torch on the official English broadcast of the League of Legends Pro League (LPL). Instead, they are entrusting the keys to co-streamers like us in the community. Rest assured, the LPL isn’t disappearing; it’s just that the traditional broadcast will no longer be available. It’s a new chapter for us as gamers and streamers!

Man, I used to think the English-speaking LPL community was something extraordinary. It was a fantastic platform for casters to hone their skills, which eventually led to some amazing talent that’s now shining on other major broadcasts (like Dagda, Hysterics, Aux, Emily Rand, Raz, and many others). It’s tough to see it go, but I’ll raise a virtual glass in memory of the good times we shared.

— Christian Rivera (@IWDominate) November 16, 2024

Despite the fact that IWDominate, a prominent co-streamer in League of Legends, expressed sadness over the change, this update could potentially boost his popularity. Since the official stream will no longer be available, viewers who wish to watch matches will need to visit him or other co-streamers instead.

Several well-known personalities from various broadcasts, such as Dagda, Emily Rand, Raz, and Aux, began their careers in the League of Legends Pro League (LPL). Unfortunately, this league is now closing its doors, as announced on a tweet.

Nonetheless, some found fault with how it was presented as beneficial to fans, a concern raised by League caster Cubby.

“Nothing about this is good for fans, it’s a cheap *** ‘solution’,” he claimed. He’d go on to explain that this change would give co-streamers a worse product to work off of, with them now being forced to come up with every section of the broadcast themselves.

He responded to a fan, saying, “Those individuals whose role is to create and maintain storylines in your language for gamers no longer have jobs, according to his viewpoint on this change.” This change, as he sees it, might be a good thing.

Speaking about Dagda, once a caster working within the LPL, now a regular figure in the LEC and set to cast at Worlds 2024, here are his thoughts:

I’m not just saddened, but deeply shattered. Among the most cherished moments in my professional journey include working alongside my dearest companions on the LPL.

Meanwhile, while other significant areas continue with their transmissions unaltered, it’s yet uncertain if Riot might implement additional cost-cutting strategies.

It’s possible that this alteration is partly because the League of Legends Pro League (LPL) is experiencing financial difficulties. Rumors suggest that one team may be forced to withdraw, while other squads have needed to cut back considerably on player salaries.

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2024-11-16 19:48