XLEAGUE.TV

Infobox TV channel
dummy parameter =
name = Xleague.TV
logosize = 270px
logofile = XleagueTVlogoUK.jpg
caption = XLeague.tv's Ident
launch = 16 May 2007
picture format = 576i
owner = Portland TV
share = 0-0.05%
share as of = February 2008
share source = [http://www.barb.co.uk/viewingsummary/monthreports.cfm?report=monthgmulti]
country = flagcountry|United Kingdom
web = [http://www.xleague.tv/ xleague.tv]
sat serv 1 = Sky Digital
sat chan 1 = (on Pulse) Channel 197
(Pulse + 1) Channel 204
sat serv 2 = Eurobird 1
sat chan 2 = 12643H 27500 2/3|

Xleague.TV is block on Pulse (Sky Channel 197) on British Sky Broadcasting entertainment channel in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland. It featured coverage of E-sports. In this respect, it differs from other examples of videogame programming in the country, such as Cybernet, which had a broader remit, to cover videogames in general. The channel is closely paired to its own self-titled website. The online resource encourages community discussion, while also serving as a platform to organise tournaments and invitational events, some of which may later be screened, on the channel, via it's flagship programme, "The Match".

While the televised matches regularly feature members of recognised, successful gaming clans such as Team Dignitas, and individual victors of major gaming tournaments including [http://www.worldcybergames.com/6th/2007/tournament/tm_match_matchlist.asp?sort=G070309105 Apollo - Shaun Clark] Xleague.tv also encourages enthusiasts and non-professionals to get involved in the community (and thus, potentially, The Match) through the game-specific clubs and leagues set up in a way that ensures that players of like strength compete together.

For more information on Pulse go to Pulse

History

The channel recently announced that it was partnering with fellow UK tournament organisers, [http://www.enemydown.co.uk/league.php?event=244 Enemy Down] to run a series of team games for titles including in the Packard Bell European Open, which the hardware manufacturer will be [http://www.xleague.tv/portal/News.aspx?Id=441&zoneId=1 supporting with prizes] .

As of mid-to-late December 2007, the channel chose to diversify its content by showing niche sports programmes after Midnight and in the early afternoon. This was [http://www.xleague.tv/XForum/forum_posts.asp?TID=5505 not well-received by the XLeague community] , who view it as a repeat of the Babestation debacle, which lead to the demise of Game Network.

In February 2008, it was revealed that the channel had entered into an agreement with US men's entertainment channel MavTV, who had provided the niche sports content, and the channel would be re-branded as Pulse, which would be made up of separately branded XLEAGUE.TV and Mav blocks, with- according to [http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/digitaltv/a89275/gaming-channel-renames-expands-to-ents.html Digital Spy] - XLeague are in talks with other providers to provide further programming blocks.

On Monday 25th February 2008, the Xleague.tv channel was rebranded as expected to "Pulse". The channel still retains all the Xleague programmes and website, prior to the rebrand.

Programming

Website

The XLEAGUE.TV website provides interviews with standout competitors, be they clans or individuals, in The Match - conducted before or after a game. General news updates are provided from the world of gaming, along with the ability to sign up to participate in League or Tournament competition, in the search of recognition, fun and prizes. Some games offer sponsored free-play, whilst others require a subscription for entrance.

Users can upload videos they have created on the website as well, which may be featured in future programming. The site also offers a community podcast in the form of Talkback, in which XLEAGUE.TV community and channel staff offer their views on raised concerns, and fill the audience in as to upcoming highlights. The website is designed to compliment the channel.

WebTV Beta

A YouTube-style section of the website that allows users to upload their videos. Its main focus is on Machinima, voice-over movies using video games to animate their scenes.

Sources

cite press release
title = XLeague TV launches tomorrow
publisher = Gamesindustry.biz
date = 2007-05-15
url = http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=25013
accessdate = 2007-05-15

cite press release
title = XLeague.TV reveals games list for showdown launch
publisher = computerandvideogames.com
date = 24 April 2007
url = http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=162613
accessdate = Tuesday 24-April-2007

cite press release
title = XLEAGUE.TV Listens To Community
publisher = mcvuk.com
date = 14 August 2007
url = http://www.mcvuk.com/press-releases/31111/XLEAGUETV-Listens-To-Community
accessdate = Tuesday 14-August-2007
* [http://www.ofcom.org.uk/static/tvlicensing/cs/1481.htm OfCom's Licence for XLEAGUE.TV]
* [http://www.spong.com/article/12593 Spong.com news report]
* [http://www.binarypictureshow.com/gnews/2007/05/xleague-tv-channel-launched.html GNews Report on Channel's Launch]
* [http://216.239.59.104/search?q=cache:lUKcRrHVhswJ:www.wildsat.com/eurobird.htm+sky+epg+xleague.tv&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=uk EuroBird Satelitte EPG Listings, which announces the induction of XLEAGUE.TV]
* [http://monobrow.blogspot.com/ Ben Talbot's blog]
* http://www.ofcom.org.uk/static/tvlicensing/cs/1481.htm

External links

* [http://www.xleague.tv XLEAGUE.TV's Website]
* [http://www.xleague.tv/XForum XLEAGUE.TV's Forums]
* [http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=xleaguetv XLEAGUE.TV's YouTube Page]
* [http://www.ofcom.org.uk/static/tvlicensing/cs/1481.htm OFCOM's Licence for XLEAGUE.TV]