Esports and streaming revenues to hit $3.5bn by 2021

A new study from Juniper Research has found that a rise in consumption of esports and streamed games content will drive $3.5 billion in revenues by 2021, up from $1.8 billion in 2017.

Juniper’s latest report, titled Esports, ‘Let’s Play’ & ‘Watch Play’: Competitive Tournaments & Content Streaming 2017-2021, found that almost 90% of esports and game streamer viewers also watching ad-supported casual games streams in 2021.

Juniper believes that the sale of merchandise, time-limited content (such as in-game items), and access passes, will form part of a wider trend to drive the industry forwards.

The report also found that views of game streamers is on the increase, as viewers look to improve their own gameplay and watch their favourite gamers, but warned advertisers to look for family-friendly streamers.

Research author Lauren Foye said: “As we saw following PewDiePie’s recent controversial videos, a breach of a sponsor’s values can result in the termination of lucrative partnerships. Nevertheless, a rise in PewDiePie’s channel engagement following the scandal highlights a quandary sponsors are facing.”

Elsewhere, analyst Newzoo recently published some new information suggesting the global esports market will be worth $1.5 billion by 2020.