The Call of Duty League (CDL) signed an exclusivity deal with YouTube two years ago, and it seems that this agreement will conclude at the end of the current season.
Since the CDL's inception, it has primarily been on YouTube for five out of its six seasons. Only during the Modern Warfare II season did it stream on both platforms. Initially, it appeared that the league would not reach an agreement for rights moving into Modern Warfare III. However, just weeks before the season started, they managed to strike a deal with YouTube Gaming. This agreement is expected to expire after this season.
📸 Photo by @CODLeague
Viewership for watch parties often sees significantly higher numbers on Twitch, while many fans appreciate the viewing experience on YouTube. It will be interesting to see what direction the CDL takes during the off-season. We will get a glimpse of the Twitch experience again with the upcoming Esports World Cup.
The ideal scenario would be to stream on both platforms, but financial considerations will likely take precedence for the CDL. The partnership has benefited the teams in the League greatly this season, allowing teams to reach a healthy financial state & have a steady income stream. If they successfully negotiate a new deal with YouTube, they will likely continue their partnership.