Evolution of the Gaming Experience: Live Video Streaming and the Emergence of a New Web Community

The introduction of Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) into the eSports industry has caused an unprecedented growth in its viewership and community involvement. As uses and gratifications theory suggests, individuals are actively seeking out new media content that coincides with their interests. IPTV and live steams of videogames provide a new Web-specific genre of entertainment that is not available from traditional broadcasting methods. The convergence of multiple Internet technologies, social interaction and community-produced content has given birth to a web community with a vast and dedicated following of fans as in traditional sports. This research found a fast growing web community that is being actively sought out and consumed by the core 18-34 male demographic.