Telstra to explain rise of esports at SPORTELAsia convention

After their successful participation at the 2018 convention in Singapore, Australian telecommunications company Telstra is to return to SPORTELAsia this year, where its involvement will include the hosting a panel discussion about the rise of esports and its opportunities for growth.

Since 2015 Telstra has provided the esports industry with broadcast services for venues, studios and special events in Australia and internationally, with the company seeing esports as a growing and exciting part of the Telstra Broadcast Services sports and entertainment business.

Explaining the company’s interest in esports, Anna Lockwood, Telstra’s Head of Global Sales at Telstra and Board Member of the esports Games Association Australia (EGAA), stated “esports is a growing and exciting part of the Telstra Broadcast Services sports and entertainment business (with our having) provided the esports industry with broadcast services for venues, studios and special events in Australia and internationally since 2015.

“We work with publishers, tournament organisers, production companies and venue owners to help take esports content global and to reach new audiences in Asia and around the world.

“There is a lot that the esports industry can learn from traditional sports media and marketing, and also many exciting innovations that esports can bring to the coverage of traditional sports.”

Advising that she expects to see a lot more convergence of traditional sports with esports over the next few years, Lockwood (pictured above) commented “Telstra is exhibiting at SPORTELAsia for the second year after a successful event in Singapore in 2018.

“With many regional and international sporting events happening in Asia over the next few years, we are looking forward to connecting with the SPORTELAsia community in Macau and discussing opportunities for content contribution and distribution around Asia.

“We are showcasing the Telstra Global Media Network (GMN), which delivers millions of hours of high value live sports content in and out of the Asia Pacific region to key markets in Europe and the USA. The Telstra GMN is a worldwide, highly resilient network built on a four fibre path system - and is specifically designed for the seamless delivery of video content. It is monitored 24x7 to guarantee the highest levels of service and minimise any interruptions.

“Telstra continues to grow the Global Media Network and we have expanded our reach further across Asia and into Europe this year through our own investments and through the Telstra GMN Alliance partnerships.

"Our Globecam mini-live cameras, which will be on display at SPORTELAsia, continue to provide unique coverage of tennis, rugby, and cricket among other sports.”

Lockwood will be moderating an esports panel at SPORTELAsia.

SPORTELAsia 2019 is being held at JW Marriott Hotel, Macau from 5th to 7th March.

Click here for details of SPORTELAsia 2019 in the Australasian Leisure Management industry calendar.