NBC To Distribute Rocket League On YouTube In Addition To Twitch

NBC Sports Group will distribute this year’s Universal Open Rocket League esports tournament on Twitch and YouTube, a shift from the '17 inaugural season for which Twitch as the only third-party streamer. NBC will create a new Universal Open channel on YouTube to host the competition, and NBC execs believe the turn away from exclusivity will draw a wider audience. On Twitch, action will stream on the channel run by FaceIt, the British tournament organizer that is co-developed the event with NBC Sports. Twitch and YouTube coverage will start with the closed qualifiers that begin Tuesday, and NBC-owned digital and linear platforms will pick up coverage at the regional finals in late July. “Rocket League,” published by San Diego-based Psyonix, features teams of two players operating cars that play soccer. PepsiCo’s Brisk Iced Tea has already been announced as presenting sponsor.