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LCS announces later start time, responding to criticism and feedback
The LCS announces later start time following heavy backlash from the community and content creators alike.
LCS announces later start time
On December 15, Riot Games posted their "Esports Broadcast Update" to the LoL Esports website. In this article, Riot Games introduced new starting times for many of their officially broadcasted programs. The LCS, LEC, LCK, CBLoL, and LPL, among other regions, had their new start times listed.
The time-slot change causing the most ire was undoubtedly that of the LCS's broadcast times. Before this most recent change was implemented, the LCS was set to start Thursdays and Fridays at 12:00 PT. If you went to school, worked a standard hours job, you would not be able to catch the LCS broadcast live.
Riot has responded to stark community outcry regarding the 12:00 start time, and is making a change. Following a Tweet from the official LCS Twitter, LCS broadcasts are now pushed back to 14:00 PT!
League of Legends journalist Travis Gafford also conducted an interview with John Needham and Naz Aletaha on the LCS announcing a later start time, as well as responding to criticism. John Needham is the President of Esports at Riot Games, and Naz Aletaha is the Global Head of League of Legends Esports at Riot.
Looking up for the LCS
It has been a rocky start for the LCS with David "Phreak" Turley, James "Dash" Patterson, and Julian "PastryTime" Carr announcing their leave from broadcasting. Fortunately, Riot Games directly responding to near-universal negativity towards the original LCS time-slot is reassuring. Importantly, Phreak is still working with Riot, instead on the balance team.
Similar to the time-slot situation, Riot has directly responded to dissatisfied fans by bringing Dash back onto the broadcast. Dash is set to lead his own show, directly interviewing LCS players, instead of hosting the LCS from the analyst's desk.
Riot must continue to keep a close ear to the fan outcry. Consistently listening to, and improving upon community feedback will not go unnoticed by the general League of Legends community - especially the hardcore esports fans.