LCK Summer 2024: Second-Highest Viewership Ever
Peak Viewership Achievements
The LCK Summer 2024, South Korea’s premier League of Legends esports league, has achieved the second-highest peak viewership in its history. Over 1.6 million people tuned in for the final showdown between Hanwha Life Esports and Gen.G Esports. This event marks the third most-watched series in the LCK’s history, showcasing the league’s growing popularity.
Viewer Statistics
According to Esports Charts, the average viewership for the LCK Summer 2024 was 328,753, with five matches surpassing 1 million peak viewers during the playoff stage. However, it’s important to note that these statistics do not include Chinese viewership, a significant market for League of Legends.
Watch Time and Broadcast Platforms
The summer split accumulated over 88 million hours of watch time, which, although 10 million hours less than the Spring Split 2024, still represents a significant increase of over 26 million hours compared to the same period last year. This rise occurred despite a decrease in total airtime (270 hours in 2024 vs. 289 hours in 2023), indicating a positive trend for the competition.
YouTube emerged as the dominant broadcasting platform, with a peak viewership of 875,228, dwarfing Twitch’s 414,684. Over the split, Twitch garnered 41,839,037 total views, less than half of YouTube’s 89,732,204, solidifying YouTube’s position as the preferred streaming service for international viewers.
Language and Regional Viewership
Most of the LCK’s viewership came from Korean-speaking channels, peaking at 788,722 viewers. Notably, this split marked the first time that Vietnamese-speaking channels (344,177) surpassed English-speaking ones (317,357), highlighting the league’s expanding reach and appeal across different regions.
Impact and Future Prospects
Hanwha Life Esports led the LCK, and Korean teams are set to send four representatives to the upcoming World Championship in Europe. This event promises to attract even more viewers and further cement the LCK’s status as a powerhouse in the esports world.
Statistics Breakdown
- Peak Viewership: Over 1.6 million
- Average Viewership: 328,753
- Total Watch Time: Over 88 million hours
- YouTube Peak Viewership: 875,228
- Twitch Peak Viewership: 414,684
- Korean-Speaking Channels Peak Viewership: 788,722
- Vietnamese-Speaking Channels Peak Viewership: 344,177
- English-Speaking Channels Peak Viewership: 317,357
Conclusion
The LCK Summer 2024’s impressive viewership statistics demonstrate the growing interest and engagement in competitive League of Legends. With significant contributions from YouTube and an increase in international viewership, the LCK continues to solidify its position as a major player in the global esports arena. As the league prepares for the World Championship, the anticipation and excitement among fans worldwide are palpable.
