The broadcaster will have exclusive rights in Norway
TV2 Norway has agreed to be the exclusive Norwegian TV and online broadcaster for the Blast Premier season and Blast Premier Showdown Nordic qualifying tournament.
The Counter Strike: Global Offensive esports tournament sees teams fighting it out for a $4.25 million (£3.47m) prize pool.
TV2 will be broadcasting Premier’s Series, Showdown, Final, and Global Final events, after the licensing deal was organised by Lagardere Sports.
In addition to signing up the media rights, TV2 will be sending two Norwegian sides to the Elisa Invitational – a Blast Premier Qualifier on 1-3 May. The winner of this event will go through to the Blast Premier Showdown and compete for the $325,000 (£265,000) prize pool.
TV2 sports editor-in-chief, Vegard Jansen, said of the partnership: “We are really excited to be able to broadcast Blast Premier in Norway. Esports has come a really long way and Blast is a prime example of that. TV2 has more than 25 years of experience as humble custodians of the Norwegian peoples’ passion for sports, and we aim to do the same for esports.”
Alexander Lewin, vice president of distribution and programming at Blast Premier, added: “We’re delighted to renew our partnership with TV2 for 2020. We’re in particular thrilled that TV2 will actively participate in shaping the BLAST Premier Spring Showdown by sending 2 Norwegian teams to compete in the Elisa Invitational in Finland in early May.”