SOOP, the company formerly known as AfreecaTV, is poised to intensify its footprint in the esports sector with exciting investment initiatives and upcoming conference announcements. By broadening its reach to international audiences and facilitating the collaboration of streamers across regional lines, SOOP is not just keeping pace but setting trends within the ever-growing esports community.
One of SOOP's key strategies involves live broadcasting of major esports competitions. Starting January 2025, the company will stream significant leagues, including popular titles like League of Legends (LoL) and Valorant, to connect with worldwide fans. These broadcasts will be multilingual, aiming to make esports more accessible to diverse audiences. The League of Legends Champions Korea (LCK) Cup, which commenced on January 14, is set to wrap up by February 23, showcasing the company’s commitment to engaging viewers.
According to reports, the LCK Cup will be accessible across various languages, enhancing fan experience significantly. This move aligns with SOOP's efforts to bolster interaction with fans globally. The company has plans to include additional tournaments such as the Chinese LoL Pro League (LPL) and the LoL EMEA Championship, which spans regions including Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. These broadcasts will follow the same multilingual format to cater to local fan bases.
Further solidifying its stake, SOOP is organizing 'Cross Regional' esports competitions. This initiative will blend talents from domestic platforms and global streamers, fostering creative collaborations. On January 22, SOOP announced the first content of this series, featuring Teamfight Tactics (TFT) alongside LoL and Valorant competitions. The tournaments will leverage TFT’s growing appeal, as it is set within the League of Legends universe and offers straightforward gameplay, making it attractive to multiple skill levels.
The inaugural 'Cross Regional – TFT' event will take place on January 24 and 25, encouraging competition among well-known streamers from Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, and Taiwan. Participants include notable figures such as Jjohappylong and GoraPadong, who will bring their skills to the fore as they face off under the new 36-point checkmate rule, aiming for the prize pool of 8 million KRW.
Choi Min-jun, the commentator for this event, underlined SOOP’s mission to not only provide entertainment but also to create memorable interactions between streamers and fans. This type of event sparks community engagement, which is pivotal for the esports scene as it continues to evolve.
On the operational side, the company is making concerted efforts to amplify its conference reach as well. By hosting regular discussions about trends and innovations within esports, SOOP aims to establish itself as both a broadcast leader and thought pioneer. The sharing of insights during these sessions empowers local and international stakeholders to adapt and thrive amid the fast-paced changes within and around esports.
Soon after the Cross Regional events, SOOP also plans to continue its commitment to live broadcasting various titles seamlessly—capitalizing on the growing interest. With the immense success of last year’s SOOP Valorant League (SVL), which garnered around 2.6 million viewers, SOOP has shown it can attract substantial viewer ships, indicating growing interest within the community.
Beyond participation and viewership, SOOP is aware of the financial constructs necessary for sustaining these activities. Investment will extend not only to technology for improved broadcast quality but also to enticing sponsorships and partnerships with brands wanting to reach younger demographics attracted to gaming.
The overall goal of SOOP remains clear: to create inclusive and innovative esports experiences. CEO Kim Je-won expressed, “Through fostering collaboration among international streamers and audience engagement, we aim to utilize esports as a bonding tool across cultures and communities.”
With more collaborations and investments on the horizon, SOOP is positioning itself not only as an entertainment platform but as an integral component of the global esports ecosystem.