Pressetexte:
ESL Pressetext:
Spoiler anzeigen
Turtle Entertainment Pressetext:
Spoiler anzeigen
MTG Pressetext:
Spoiler anzeigen
MTG Wikipedia Seite
TL;DR:
Die verschiedenen Marken der ESL, bisher im Besitz der Turtle Entertainment GmbH, wurde an die schwedische Gruppe TMG verkauft. Der Kaufpreis wird mit 78 Million € angegeben und ist nach dem Verkauf Twitchs und der GG-Agency der nächste große Verkauf im Bereich der digitalen Unterhaltung.
ESL Pressetext:
ESL, the world’s largest esports company, is excited to announce another huge step forward for itself and esports, with the Swedish digital entertainment company MTG purchasing a 74% share of the company. The investment, which aligns two strong like minded entities opens many synergies and opportunities which promise exciting times for the esports industry.
Taking on the role of central driver of MTG’s digital strategy, ESL will continue to function as an independent company, with ESL’s management team and founders retaining 26% of the company and committing through long term contracts. With the backing of MTG, the team is committed to delivering the largest and most prestigious events & leagues, accelerating its global expansion with strategic partnerships and delivering the highest level of esports to fans all over the world.
Ralf Reichert, founder and CEO of ESL and Turtle Entertainment had this to say about the acquisition: “When we founded ESL 15 years ago, our goal was to bring esports to fans all around the world and establish it as a global sport. Today, esports enjoys worldwide recognition and now, together with MTG, it is time to take esports to the next level. We are excited to partner with MTG, who share our enthusiasm for the sport and bring an entrepreneurial commitment to help make this dream come true. MTG’s extensive operational network in over 100 countries will help us bring ESL and esports to many more places around the world, while allowing us to continue expanding on strong, strategic local partnerships. The ESL leadership team could not be more excited about accelerating the development of the entire esports industry together with MTG for years to come.”
To shed more light on the how, what and why, we've assembled a list of questions that should hopefully cover anything you might want to know about the investment and the impact it will have on ESL and its products.
Why sell a majority share of ESL: A key pillar of ESL’s history has always been building a self-sustaining profitable operation. As such the choice to seek out a single majority investor was not driven by necessity but in order to help us fulfill our dreams of growing esports into a mainstream sport. The move to consolidate ESL’s multiple investors into a single investor, who not only shares our entrepreneurial mindset but also has synergetic resources, allows us to do exactly that.
Who are MTG and why them and not another company: MTG are Swedish digital entertainment company which operates free-TV channels in 10 countries. Like ESL they have flat hierarchy and entrepreneurial background and share many of our goals and aspirations. While looking for potential partners, it was with MTG that we saw the most potential to grow esports to even bigger heights. We are super excited to explore the synergies and growth opportunities for ESL & esports.
What changes will there be going forward: The team that has built ESL since 2000 will stay onboard. ESL is a company built on passion about esports and nothing will change about that. We set the goal of building the world’s biggest esports company and bringing the biggest most prestigious events to fans around the world. Nothing changes about that, except that we are in a better position than ever to execute on those aspirations. ESL will do what it has always done, boldly push the boundaries of what is possible
How will this affect viewers/players/esports as a whole? ESL has always had the aim of creating the most legendary esports experiences possible. With events like IEM Katowice, ESL One Frankfurt, ESL One Cologne, IEM San Jose, we’ve brought esports to stadiums, while our Pro Leagues are helping build the highest standard of esports competition for a multitude of games. We will continue to deliver bigger and better events for the games we already support, while continuing to build esports ecosystems for those that are still up and coming.
What does the sale to a media group with TV stations mean for ESL, esports and online viewership? It allows us to reach an even wider audience and explore new opportunities. We will continue to work with our longstanding and awesome online partners but can now also explore avenues and channels which were previously difficult to get into.
For more information about MTG, visit their homepage. You can find Turtle Entertainment's press release about the acquisition in full here: Press Release
Taking on the role of central driver of MTG’s digital strategy, ESL will continue to function as an independent company, with ESL’s management team and founders retaining 26% of the company and committing through long term contracts. With the backing of MTG, the team is committed to delivering the largest and most prestigious events & leagues, accelerating its global expansion with strategic partnerships and delivering the highest level of esports to fans all over the world.
Ralf Reichert, founder and CEO of ESL and Turtle Entertainment had this to say about the acquisition: “When we founded ESL 15 years ago, our goal was to bring esports to fans all around the world and establish it as a global sport. Today, esports enjoys worldwide recognition and now, together with MTG, it is time to take esports to the next level. We are excited to partner with MTG, who share our enthusiasm for the sport and bring an entrepreneurial commitment to help make this dream come true. MTG’s extensive operational network in over 100 countries will help us bring ESL and esports to many more places around the world, while allowing us to continue expanding on strong, strategic local partnerships. The ESL leadership team could not be more excited about accelerating the development of the entire esports industry together with MTG for years to come.”
To shed more light on the how, what and why, we've assembled a list of questions that should hopefully cover anything you might want to know about the investment and the impact it will have on ESL and its products.
Why sell a majority share of ESL: A key pillar of ESL’s history has always been building a self-sustaining profitable operation. As such the choice to seek out a single majority investor was not driven by necessity but in order to help us fulfill our dreams of growing esports into a mainstream sport. The move to consolidate ESL’s multiple investors into a single investor, who not only shares our entrepreneurial mindset but also has synergetic resources, allows us to do exactly that.
Who are MTG and why them and not another company: MTG are Swedish digital entertainment company which operates free-TV channels in 10 countries. Like ESL they have flat hierarchy and entrepreneurial background and share many of our goals and aspirations. While looking for potential partners, it was with MTG that we saw the most potential to grow esports to even bigger heights. We are super excited to explore the synergies and growth opportunities for ESL & esports.
What changes will there be going forward: The team that has built ESL since 2000 will stay onboard. ESL is a company built on passion about esports and nothing will change about that. We set the goal of building the world’s biggest esports company and bringing the biggest most prestigious events to fans around the world. Nothing changes about that, except that we are in a better position than ever to execute on those aspirations. ESL will do what it has always done, boldly push the boundaries of what is possible
How will this affect viewers/players/esports as a whole? ESL has always had the aim of creating the most legendary esports experiences possible. With events like IEM Katowice, ESL One Frankfurt, ESL One Cologne, IEM San Jose, we’ve brought esports to stadiums, while our Pro Leagues are helping build the highest standard of esports competition for a multitude of games. We will continue to deliver bigger and better events for the games we already support, while continuing to build esports ecosystems for those that are still up and coming.
What does the sale to a media group with TV stations mean for ESL, esports and online viewership? It allows us to reach an even wider audience and explore new opportunities. We will continue to work with our longstanding and awesome online partners but can now also explore avenues and channels which were previously difficult to get into.
For more information about MTG, visit their homepage. You can find Turtle Entertainment's press release about the acquisition in full here: Press Release
Turtle Entertainment Pressetext:
MTG to acquire the majority stake in the world’s largest esports company
(Los Angeles, California) July 1, 2015 – ESL today announced that it has reached an agreement with the international entertainment group, MTG, to acquire a majority stake in Turtle Entertainment GmbH, the holding company for ESL and its international subsidiaries. ESL, the world’s largest esports company and global esports leader, has innovated the industry in terms of broadcast values, production and event experience for the past 15 years across products such as the Intel Extreme Masters and ESL One, pioneering stadium events in the esports scene and consistently breaking industry records.
“When we founded ESL 15 years ago, our goal was to bring esports to fans all around the world and establish it as a global sport. Today esports enjoys worldwide recognition and now, together with MTG, it is time to bring esports to the next level” said Ralf Reichert, CEO at ESL. “We are excited to partner with MTG, who share our enthusiasm for the sport and bring an entrepreneurial commitment to help make this dream come true. MTG’s extensive operational network in over 100 countries, and broadcast sports experience, will help us bring ESL and esports to many more places around the world, while allowing us to continue expanding on strong, strategic local partnerships. The ESL leadership team couldn’t be more excited to accelerate the entire esports industry forward together with MTG for the years to come.”
“At MTG, we love sports and we love sports fans. Our TV channels and platforms are home to the world’s leading sports brands, and are watched by typically young audiences. Esports is fast becoming one of the most watched and passionately followed global sports categories amongst younger audiences. There are now almost as many gamers in the world as traditional sports fans, and esports is already bigger than ice hockey. However, the average revenue generated per esports enthusiast in 2014 was just over USD 2, compared to USD 56 for traditional sports enthusiasts, so this global phenomenon has tremendous potential” said Jørgen Madsen Lindemann, MTG President and CEO. “This investment is a key milestone in our digital development. We look forward to working with the talented Turtle team to grow the global esports community, and to make this exciting content even more broadly available online and on TV.”
Turtle Entertainment was established in 2000 and has since grown to include the world's most prestigious esports brands and products, including Intel Extreme Masters, ESL One and the ESL ESEA Pro League. ESL’s management team will continue to run the ESL business and have signed long-term employment agreements so as to continue to expand the brand globally through strategic international partnerships. Both Managing Directors, Ralf Reichert and Heinrich Zetlmayer, as well as the original founder Jens Hilgers and the inventor of the ESL Play platform Jan-Philipp Reining, will stay on ESL’s management team. The creative efforts for ESL products and white label productions will remain under leadership of Michal ‘Carmac’ Blicharz and James ‘Kennigit’ Lampkin from ESL’s office in the US and the headquarters in Cologne, Germany, respectively.
Under the terms of the acquisition agreement, MTG will acquire the majority of the outstanding shares of Turtle Entertainment for € 78 million.
###
ESL is the world's largest esports company, leading the industry across various games with numerous online and offline competitions. It operates high profile, branded international and national leagues and tournaments such as the Intel® Extreme Masters, ESL One, ESL Pro Series, StarCraft® II World Championship Series, as well as grassroots amateur cups, leagues and matchmaking systems. ESL covers a broad field of services in gaming technology, event management, advertising and TV production, fully catering to the needs of the esport’s ecosystem. With offices in Germany, Russia, France, Poland, Spain, China, North America and partners in many other countries, it has a truly global footprint. or eslgaming.com
MTG (Modern Times Group MTG AB (publ.)) is an international entertainment group. Our operations span six continents and include TV channels and platforms, online services, content production businesses and radio stations. We are also the largest shareholder in CTC Media, which is Russia’s leading independent media company. - See more at: turtle-entertainment.com/news/…any/#sthash.lBDEKRiQ.dpuf
(Los Angeles, California) July 1, 2015 – ESL today announced that it has reached an agreement with the international entertainment group, MTG, to acquire a majority stake in Turtle Entertainment GmbH, the holding company for ESL and its international subsidiaries. ESL, the world’s largest esports company and global esports leader, has innovated the industry in terms of broadcast values, production and event experience for the past 15 years across products such as the Intel Extreme Masters and ESL One, pioneering stadium events in the esports scene and consistently breaking industry records.
“When we founded ESL 15 years ago, our goal was to bring esports to fans all around the world and establish it as a global sport. Today esports enjoys worldwide recognition and now, together with MTG, it is time to bring esports to the next level” said Ralf Reichert, CEO at ESL. “We are excited to partner with MTG, who share our enthusiasm for the sport and bring an entrepreneurial commitment to help make this dream come true. MTG’s extensive operational network in over 100 countries, and broadcast sports experience, will help us bring ESL and esports to many more places around the world, while allowing us to continue expanding on strong, strategic local partnerships. The ESL leadership team couldn’t be more excited to accelerate the entire esports industry forward together with MTG for the years to come.”
“At MTG, we love sports and we love sports fans. Our TV channels and platforms are home to the world’s leading sports brands, and are watched by typically young audiences. Esports is fast becoming one of the most watched and passionately followed global sports categories amongst younger audiences. There are now almost as many gamers in the world as traditional sports fans, and esports is already bigger than ice hockey. However, the average revenue generated per esports enthusiast in 2014 was just over USD 2, compared to USD 56 for traditional sports enthusiasts, so this global phenomenon has tremendous potential” said Jørgen Madsen Lindemann, MTG President and CEO. “This investment is a key milestone in our digital development. We look forward to working with the talented Turtle team to grow the global esports community, and to make this exciting content even more broadly available online and on TV.”
Turtle Entertainment was established in 2000 and has since grown to include the world's most prestigious esports brands and products, including Intel Extreme Masters, ESL One and the ESL ESEA Pro League. ESL’s management team will continue to run the ESL business and have signed long-term employment agreements so as to continue to expand the brand globally through strategic international partnerships. Both Managing Directors, Ralf Reichert and Heinrich Zetlmayer, as well as the original founder Jens Hilgers and the inventor of the ESL Play platform Jan-Philipp Reining, will stay on ESL’s management team. The creative efforts for ESL products and white label productions will remain under leadership of Michal ‘Carmac’ Blicharz and James ‘Kennigit’ Lampkin from ESL’s office in the US and the headquarters in Cologne, Germany, respectively.
Under the terms of the acquisition agreement, MTG will acquire the majority of the outstanding shares of Turtle Entertainment for € 78 million.
###
ESL is the world's largest esports company, leading the industry across various games with numerous online and offline competitions. It operates high profile, branded international and national leagues and tournaments such as the Intel® Extreme Masters, ESL One, ESL Pro Series, StarCraft® II World Championship Series, as well as grassroots amateur cups, leagues and matchmaking systems. ESL covers a broad field of services in gaming technology, event management, advertising and TV production, fully catering to the needs of the esport’s ecosystem. With offices in Germany, Russia, France, Poland, Spain, China, North America and partners in many other countries, it has a truly global footprint. or eslgaming.com
MTG (Modern Times Group MTG AB (publ.)) is an international entertainment group. Our operations span six continents and include TV channels and platforms, online services, content production businesses and radio stations. We are also the largest shareholder in CTC Media, which is Russia’s leading independent media company. - See more at: turtle-entertainment.com/news/…any/#sthash.lBDEKRiQ.dpuf
MTG Pressetext:
MTG invests in world’s largest esports company ESL
July 1 2015
MTG has signed an agreement to acquire 74% of Turtle Entertainment, the world’s largest esports company that operates under the well-known ESL brand with revenues growing at 50% per year. Esports is one of the largest and fastest growing online video entertainment categories; a key driver of the growth of the gaming industry; and set to attract a global audience of 260 million unique online viewers in 2015. ESL creates some of the most popular and high quality esports properties, and this content attracts large audiences of young players and fans with unparalleled engagement levels.
This investment is in line with MTG’s strategy to complement its linear and on-demand video entertainment services by investing in fast growing digital companies with relevant and scalable communities and content. It also reflects MTG’s long and successful track record of building TV and online audiences for leading international sports brands. Furthermore, MTG is already present in the esports market with its Viagame.com platform and has broadcast coverage of esports on its TV channels.
The 74% stake is being acquired from financial investors and the company’s founders for EUR 78 million in cash. The founders and management will retain the remaining 26% and continue in their current positions. Closing of the transaction is subject to local regulatory approvals, and MTG will report approximately SEK 20 million of costs related to this transaction in its second quarter results.
ESL’s online leagues and tournaments, such as ESL One and Intel® Extreme Masters, are among the biggest in the world, and have attracted more than 70 million unique online viewers over the past 12 months. They feature top international teams and star players competing in the most popular games. ESL’s 16,000 hours of live content are made available on Twitch (the biggest online games streaming platform), YouTube and other platforms. See here and here for video links. Two thirds of esports viewers are between 10 and 35 years old, and 58% of Twitch users already watch more than 20 hours of esports every week. With almost 50% of monthly views, video gaming is also the most watched YouTube category in MTG’s territories.
Working closely with all the major games publishers and developers, the majority of Turtle’s revenues come from advertising and sponsorship for its events, online league operations and broadcast media rights. Turtle also sells merchandise, event tickets and subscriptions. Turtle is expected to grow its revenues by 50% to approximately EUR 50 million in 2015, and report an EBIT profit. Established in 2000 and based in Cologne (Germany), Turtle employs over 300 people in 9 offices around the world.
“At MTG, we love sports and we love sports fans. Our TV channels and platforms are home to the world’s leading sports brands, and are watched by typically young audiences. Esports is fast becoming one of the most watched and passionately followed global sports categories amongst younger audiences. There are now almost as many gamers in the world as traditional sports fans, and esports was almost as big as ice hockey in 2014 in terms of number of enthusiasts. However, the average revenue generated per esports enthusiast in 2014 was just over USD 2, compared to USD 56 for traditional sports fans, so this global phenomenon has tremendous potential.
This investment is a key milestone in our digital development. We look forward to working with the talented Turtle team to grow the global esports community, and to make this exciting content even more broadly available online and on TV.”
Jørgen Madsen Lindemann, MTG President and CEO
“When we founded ESL 15 years ago, our goal was to bring esports to fans all around the world and establish it as a global sport. Today, esports enjoys worldwide recognition and now, together with MTG, it is time to take esports to the next level.
We are excited to partner with MTG, who share our enthusiasm for the sport and bring an entrepreneurial commitment to help make this dream come true. MTG’s extensive operational network in over 100 countries and broadcast sports experience will help us bring ESL and esports to many more places around the world, while allowing us to continue expanding on strong, strategic local partnerships. The ESL leadership team could not be more excited about accelerating the development of the entire esports industry together with MTG for years to come.”
Ralf Reichert, Managing Director of Turtle Entertainment
Presentation materials and photos will be available from mtg.com and MTG will host an open conference call today at 09.00 CET. To join the call, please dial:
July 1 2015
MTG has signed an agreement to acquire 74% of Turtle Entertainment, the world’s largest esports company that operates under the well-known ESL brand with revenues growing at 50% per year. Esports is one of the largest and fastest growing online video entertainment categories; a key driver of the growth of the gaming industry; and set to attract a global audience of 260 million unique online viewers in 2015. ESL creates some of the most popular and high quality esports properties, and this content attracts large audiences of young players and fans with unparalleled engagement levels.
This investment is in line with MTG’s strategy to complement its linear and on-demand video entertainment services by investing in fast growing digital companies with relevant and scalable communities and content. It also reflects MTG’s long and successful track record of building TV and online audiences for leading international sports brands. Furthermore, MTG is already present in the esports market with its Viagame.com platform and has broadcast coverage of esports on its TV channels.
The 74% stake is being acquired from financial investors and the company’s founders for EUR 78 million in cash. The founders and management will retain the remaining 26% and continue in their current positions. Closing of the transaction is subject to local regulatory approvals, and MTG will report approximately SEK 20 million of costs related to this transaction in its second quarter results.
ESL’s online leagues and tournaments, such as ESL One and Intel® Extreme Masters, are among the biggest in the world, and have attracted more than 70 million unique online viewers over the past 12 months. They feature top international teams and star players competing in the most popular games. ESL’s 16,000 hours of live content are made available on Twitch (the biggest online games streaming platform), YouTube and other platforms. See here and here for video links. Two thirds of esports viewers are between 10 and 35 years old, and 58% of Twitch users already watch more than 20 hours of esports every week. With almost 50% of monthly views, video gaming is also the most watched YouTube category in MTG’s territories.
Working closely with all the major games publishers and developers, the majority of Turtle’s revenues come from advertising and sponsorship for its events, online league operations and broadcast media rights. Turtle also sells merchandise, event tickets and subscriptions. Turtle is expected to grow its revenues by 50% to approximately EUR 50 million in 2015, and report an EBIT profit. Established in 2000 and based in Cologne (Germany), Turtle employs over 300 people in 9 offices around the world.
“At MTG, we love sports and we love sports fans. Our TV channels and platforms are home to the world’s leading sports brands, and are watched by typically young audiences. Esports is fast becoming one of the most watched and passionately followed global sports categories amongst younger audiences. There are now almost as many gamers in the world as traditional sports fans, and esports was almost as big as ice hockey in 2014 in terms of number of enthusiasts. However, the average revenue generated per esports enthusiast in 2014 was just over USD 2, compared to USD 56 for traditional sports fans, so this global phenomenon has tremendous potential.
This investment is a key milestone in our digital development. We look forward to working with the talented Turtle team to grow the global esports community, and to make this exciting content even more broadly available online and on TV.”
Jørgen Madsen Lindemann, MTG President and CEO
“When we founded ESL 15 years ago, our goal was to bring esports to fans all around the world and establish it as a global sport. Today, esports enjoys worldwide recognition and now, together with MTG, it is time to take esports to the next level.
We are excited to partner with MTG, who share our enthusiasm for the sport and bring an entrepreneurial commitment to help make this dream come true. MTG’s extensive operational network in over 100 countries and broadcast sports experience will help us bring ESL and esports to many more places around the world, while allowing us to continue expanding on strong, strategic local partnerships. The ESL leadership team could not be more excited about accelerating the development of the entire esports industry together with MTG for years to come.”
Ralf Reichert, Managing Director of Turtle Entertainment
Presentation materials and photos will be available from mtg.com and MTG will host an open conference call today at 09.00 CET. To join the call, please dial:
MTG Wikipedia Seite
TL;DR:
Die verschiedenen Marken der ESL, bisher im Besitz der Turtle Entertainment GmbH, wurde an die schwedische Gruppe TMG verkauft. Der Kaufpreis wird mit 78 Million € angegeben und ist nach dem Verkauf Twitchs und der GG-Agency der nächste große Verkauf im Bereich der digitalen Unterhaltung.
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| 'Maturity,' father had slowly begun,' Is knowing you're wrong and accepting it, son. There's prudence in pausing with patience and joy - And hearing the wisdom in others, my boy. 'A person's perspective,' he said with a smile, 'Is plain if you walk in their shoes for a while. | And if you can do it - if maybe you do - You might understand, and agree that it's true.' I followed his reasons, and nodded, polite; Perhaps that was logic - perhaps he was right. Perhaps there was truth in his claim all along... 'I'm twenty,' I countered: 'I'm right, and you're wrong.' |