The Watch Party Program launched in Summer 2021 with the initial goal to centralize communication between LCS and our program partners, increase our engagement with the wider community, and deepen our relationship with creators through opportunities to develop content. We have been testing this program over the past few splits, making iterations to our program to enhance the experience for everyone.
We’ve heard from the community that you want **more** creators and **more** LCS matches to be part of Watch Parties. Because of your feedback, we’re excited to announce an expanded version of the program for the Spring 2023 Split. Specifically, and for the first time ever, we are opening up applications to influencers in the larger League of Legends community to join the LCS Watch Party Program!
Selected creators will be allowed to co-stream *every game* of the Spring 2023 LCS split on their Twitch or Youtube channels. For regular viewers of the LCS watch parties, we will also be inviting some friendly faces to continue (or join!) to co-stream the games!
PLEASE NOTE: slots are limited, and not all that apply will be accepted to join the program. *Applying to the program does not guarantee acceptance.*
So, how can you apply?
First, review the policy below, If you are still interested, fill out the application form **at the bottom of this article.**
**To be eligible to start hosting the first week of LCS through the end of the split, applications are due by January 18 at 10:00 pm PT.** All applicants to be Watch Party hosts for Week One will be contacted directly by the LCS management team on the email address provided on their application email by January 20 at 6:00 pm PT.
For this opportunity only, **we will allow applications through January 23 at 10:00 pm PT to begin hosting Week Two through the end of the split.** All applicants to start hosting during Week Two will be notified of their status by January 27 at 6:00 pm PT. Those selected to start hosting in Week One do not need to re-apply for Week Two.
**No applications will be accepted after January 23rd at 10 pm PT.** Again, applying for the program does not guarantee acceptance.
The LCS has long seen our League co-streamers as our partners, and we’re excited to expand the program to more creators. We hope our continued improvements on this program will allow us to strengthen those bonds between the LCS and our creator community. We do know that every split is different, so we look forward to developing this program in conjunction with the community.
The 2023 LCS Spring Split Watch Party Program Policy
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- Co-streaming and Watch Parties are defined as rebroadcasting the content from a current stream while adding live commentary and/or video.
- Only members of the LCS Watch Party Program will be permitted to co-stream live LCS games. The LCS reserves the right to extend invites for participation in the co-streaming program to other streamers or broadcast partners with the express written consent of LCS management.
- All co-streaming of live LCS games must comply with the [Riot Games Terms of Service][1], [Riot Games Legal Jibber Jabber][2], and the terms of service on your respective streaming platform.
- LCS co-streaming rights are limited to the Spring 2023 season.
- Be respectful: No racism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, sexism, bullying, or otherwise harassment of other players. No vulgar or explicit content. This also extends to your in-game names, usernames, Riot IDs, or other personal identifiers. This also applies to posts made on social media.
- If you choose to include a guest in your co-stream, that guest must also follow the guidelines of the co-streaming program at all times. Guests must be approved by Riot and guests cannot publish content from the co-stream to their own channel unless they are a member of the LCS Watch Party Program. All co-streamers and their guests must meet the legal age requirement of 18+ for our sponsors.
- Co-streaming is only available in English or Spanish and on the following live platforms: Twitch and YouTube. The LCS Management team reserves the right to make language and platform exceptions at any time.
- LCS sponsors, sponsored segments, or stitched commercials may not be altered or covered in any way. Do not disparage League sponsors.
- Co-streamer sponsors may be used assuming (i) they do not conflict with LCS sponsors; and (ii) they are not on the Restricted Sponsorship List (Drugs, Liquor, Pornography, Gambling).
- The LCS reserves the right to utilize co-streaming content for broadcast and marketing purposes (excluding paid advertising).
- All co-streamers must include the relevant hashtag in their stream title: #LCSWatchParty
- Please be responsible, and respectful of the LCS players, talent, and broadcast. LCS reserves the right to remove access to the Watch Party program at any time, for any reason.
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Sponsor Categories with Exclusivity – no competing sponsorship allowed:
- Energy Drink
- Sports Bar
- Music Label
- Payment Partner
- Chair
- Computer Memory
- Food Delivery
- Telco
- Fantasy Provider
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Offenses & Behavior Flags
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In addition to our standard policy, we’re continuing our 3-strike policy from previous splits. Behavior that we feel doesn't reflect the LCS’s goals can result in a strike and/or removal from the Watch Party Program.
Here are some examples of behavior that would cause us concern:
Disparaging LCS sponsors, broadcast, talent, pros, teams, & the league
Vulgarity or explicit content
Breaching our Watch Party policy
Posting racist, homophobic, transphobic, ableist, sexist, bullying, or otherwise harassing on social media- even if unrelated to the LCS
[Breaking Riot Games Terms of Service][3]
Breaking social media terms of service and/or getting banned on your broadcasting platform.
To be clear, this doesn’t mean that Watch Party hosts can’t critique the LCS, Riot games, or the state of League esports. We ask that you do so in a constructive, and professional manner.
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3 Strike System
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The 3 Strike System is on a per-split basis. **Strikes reset at the start of each split.** If an individual received multiple strikes in the previous split they will be less likely to receive unofficial warnings prior to strikes, and/or may not be invited back to, or approved for, the next split’s Watch Party program.
**Unofficial Warning**
Unofficial warning for borderline behavior. Unofficial warnings do not count as strikes.
**First Strike**
Written warning detailing the reason behind the strike
**Second Strike**
Written warning detailing the reason behind the strike
Removal of co-stream rights for the upcoming week of games. Note: removal of co-streaming rights is dependent on when the strike occurs. For example, if a strike occurs on a Tuesday, rights are removed for the games occuring that same week. If a strike occurs during games on a Thursday, it would go into effect for the following week.
**Third Strike**
Written warning detailing the reason behind the strike
Removal of co-stream rights for the rest of the split
Reinstatement to the program will be discussed after the split concludes but is not guaranteed.
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Ready to dive in? Fill out this application to get started!
[https://airtable.com/shr6hkAh5miNWf0IU][4]
[1]: https://www.riotgames.com/en/terms-of-service
[2]: https://www.riotgames.com/en/legal
[3]: https://www.riotgames.com/en/terms-of-service
[4]: https://airtable.com/shr6hkAh5miNWf0IU
