• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

College-educated women are snapping up the highest-earning men without college degrees, leaving the rest further behind

2

The millennial generation is split in 2: an older crowd with boomer-style comfort, a younger set going 'back to the early 1900s'

3

An 11-year-old is cleaning his neighbors' trash cans for $10 each—he now has 100K followers as teens face the worst summer job market since 1948

1

College-educated women are snapping up the highest-earning men without college degrees, leaving the rest further behind

2

The millennial generation is split in 2: an older crowd with boomer-style comfort, a younger set going 'back to the early 1900s'

3

An 11-year-old is cleaning his neighbors' trash cans for $10 each—he now has 100K followers as teens face the worst summer job market since 1948
TecheSports

How This Startup Plans to Take on Twitch and YouTube in ESports

By
John Gaudiosi
John Gaudiosi
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
John Gaudiosi
John Gaudiosi
Down Arrow Button Icon
December 9, 2015, 9:10 AM ET
Azubu
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

When it comes to the video game live-streaming market, Amazon-owned Twitch leads the pack. And YouTube has upped its game this year, launching YouTube Gaming and focusing more on gaming content.

But the live-streaming market has multiple smaller companies and startups vying for new gamers, including Hitbox, DingIt, and Azubu, a Los Angeles-based startup that just raised $59.8 million in a funding round led by London-based Sapinda Group. Contributions also came from Sallfort Privatbank of Switzerland. Sapinda Group previously invested $34.5 million in Azubu in March 2014.

“Clearly there are two big fish attempting to dominate this pond in Twitch and YouTube, but what we’re doing is focusing solely on eSports live-streaming and the eSports ecosystem,” Azubu CEO Ian Sharpe says.

Azubu has seen its audience grow 1,200% from October 2014 to October 2015 to 9 million monthly unique views, according to Sharpe.

SuperData Research sets the global audience for gaming video content at over 486.4 million people. Azubu will have an estimated 49 million viewers total for 2015, says Stephanie Llamas, SuperData research and consumer insights director.

To put this in perspective, SuperData forecasts YouTube will have an estimated 355 million viewers this year, combining both its smaller live-streaming platform and its recorded video content. Twitch will have an estimated 258 million viewers, ESL will have approximately 54 million viewers, and Major League Gaming (MLG) will have about 39 million viewers.

Sharpe says the new Azubu funding will help continue the company’s global expansion into new markets like Brazil, India, China, and the Philippines where Twitch and YouTube aren’t focusing on eSports. Azubu supports eSports coverage across the globe in local languages, which Sharpe says is another important differentiator.

Llamas sees additional eSports growth opportunities in Brazil as well as the rest of Latin America thanks to the expansion of Internet infrastructure. In addition, Llamas says the growth of smartphones and other connected devices in India opens up new opportunities with its huge audience.

Peter Warman, CEO at research firm Newzoo, says Azubu has a very different business approach from Twitch and other companies.

“Azubu is focused on getting content rights and then riding the wave of growth that could help them cash in when media rights are traded similar to traditional media—if that day ever comes,” Warman says. “They also invest in getting famous streamers to come to Azubu.”

Azubu recently secured the exclusive streaming rights for UOL BoaCompra’s eSports content in Brazil, including the XLG League. This long-term partnership includes content creation, joint ad sales in Brazil, and media placements on UOL’s portal.

Warman belives Azubu will be acquired by a traditional broadcast or digital media company within the next two years because its business approach aligns with these companies.

Sharpe says Azubu offers sponsors and advertisers new ways to connect with the millennial eSports audience, including call-to-action overlays.

“Having 100 million viewers isn’t of much value to a sponsor if you don’t do anything,” Sharpe says. “Tournament companies are looking for us to innovate around that.”

Azubu caters to a 94% male demographic that’s 88% age 18 to 24 and 11% age 25 to 34.

Sharpe says other major brands will follow the path that nonendemic brands like Coca-Cola, Red Bull, and American Express have paved in the early days of eSports.

“The good news is that we’re in the digital and games space and we know that e-commerce and advertising work in those markets, and we know gamers spend a significant amount of time and money in eSports,” Sharpe says. “It’s just a matter of time for trust in eSports to build and the experiments we’re doing with gaming brands to deliver new brands.”

Sharpe says based on the calls and emails he received from potential sponsors, 2016 is shaping up to see a major expansion beyond the core gaming brands in eSports. And as this ecosystem evolves, there’s room for multiple players in the live-streaming market.

“When you look at eSports as an ecosystem, you don’t want a monopoly because that’s bad for business,” Sharpe says. “Some of the teams and leagues would love to see a great alternative to Twitch and they’re rooting for us.”

As are investors, who are placing their bets on this growing eSports company.

 

See how YouTube gaming stacks up to Twitch in this Fortune video:

Subscribe to Data Sheet, Fortune’s daily newsletter on the business of technology.

About the Author
By John Gaudiosi
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Latest in Tech

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • TikTok icon
  • YouTube icon

Latest in Tech

The war between competing AI models could end up more like Apple vs. Android than VHS vs. Betamax
AITech
The war between competing AI models could end up more like Apple vs. Android than VHS vs. Betamax
By Jason MaJuly 27, 2026
2 hours ago
Workers help a traveler at a Trip.com tabling session booth.
Big TechChina
Trip.com struck with $765 million penalty from China over monopoly allegations
By The Associated PressJuly 27, 2026
3 hours ago
Canadian intern at NATO’s military headquarters arrested on espionage charges
North AmericaNATO
Canadian intern at NATO’s military headquarters arrested on espionage charges
By Sam McNeil and The Associated PressJuly 27, 2026
4 hours ago
econ
AsiaChina
A Chinese chip maker’s shares surged 466% in their first day of trading as AI boom worm turns
By Chan Ho-Him and The Associated PressJuly 27, 2026
5 hours ago
canada
EconomyTariffs
Canada’s awkward tariff summer: Gordie Howe Bridge opens for traffic a week after Michigan and White House officials got uninvited
By The Associated PressJuly 27, 2026
5 hours ago
kimi
AIChina
Meet the American techies who don’t care where ‘good enough’ AI models come from, even China
By Chan Ho-Him, Matt O'Brien and The Associated PressJuly 27, 2026
6 hours ago

Most Popular

College-educated women are snapping up the highest-earning men without college degrees, leaving the rest further behind
Economy
College-educated women are snapping up the highest-earning men without college degrees, leaving the rest further behind
By Mia OsmonbekovJuly 26, 2026
1 day ago
The millennial generation is split in 2: an older crowd with boomer-style comfort, a younger set going 'back to the early 1900s'
Real Estate
The millennial generation is split in 2: an older crowd with boomer-style comfort, a younger set going 'back to the early 1900s'
By Nick LichtenbergJuly 25, 2026
2 days ago
An 11-year-old is cleaning his neighbors' trash cans for $10 each—he now has 100K followers as teens face the worst summer job market since 1948
Success
An 11-year-old is cleaning his neighbors' trash cans for $10 each—he now has 100K followers as teens face the worst summer job market since 1948
By Orianna Rosa RoyleJuly 25, 2026
2 days ago
I've been teaching college students for decades. Most of them can no longer finish a book
Commentary
I've been teaching college students for decades. Most of them can no longer finish a book
By Austin SaratJuly 26, 2026
1 day ago
New York City women are making up to $30,000 per month by renting out their closets to strangers
Retail
New York City women are making up to $30,000 per month by renting out their closets to strangers
By Sarah GlodekJuly 27, 2026
11 hours ago
A Hims cofounder fired his marketing agency for an AI-powered team. Now his 24/7 online vet service is growing 20% a month
Success
A Hims cofounder fired his marketing agency for an AI-powered team. Now his 24/7 online vet service is growing 20% a month
By Sydney LakeJuly 25, 2026
2 days ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.