Title image courtesy of PGL on X
Despite Heroic's historic and exciting win, PGL Wallachia Season 2 saw lower viewership numbers than Season 1.
South American roster Heroic made history by seizing the title at PGL Wallachia Season 2. This was just the third time in Dota 2 history that an SA team had reached the grand finals, and it was the first time one had held up the trophy and title at the end.
It wasn't just that. The performances in the four-game Grand Finals were also thrilling – far better than the rest of the event and dare we even say – TI 2024 grand finals?!
But not many people will be able to boast of witnessing it live. According to Esports Charts, only 320,061 folks tuned in to watch the grand finals, 166,499 viewers less than PGL Wallahcia Season 1.
The peak viewership is not the only difference between the two seasons. The numbers are lower – quite lower for some metrics despite there being almost five hours more of airtime too.
See for yourselves:
Individual images courtesy of Esports Charts
So what gives?
PGL Wallachia Season 2 was the first post-TI event of the season. It was also the second event planned in a three-year plan from PGL that includes eight Dota 2 tournaments -- each with one million dollars on the line to be held across 2024, 2025, and 2026.
But the timing of it being just after The International 2024 and so soon after ‘proper roster shuffles’ might have had a significant impact on the viewership.
Originally, a total of 10 teams received direct invites to the event based on their performances early in the year at various other tournaments. Regional qualifier winners filled the remaining six slots. It was a surprising and risky move to finalize teams prior to The International and the Post-TI shuffle.
Ultimately, six teams had to withdraw from the competition and be replaced. The defending champions Team Spirit , who claimed their first title of the year at Season 1, were not on hand. TI 2024 champions, Team Liquid withdrew from the competition, and there were no SEA representatives.
By the end of the lineup readjustments, the event became categorized as a Tier 2 event vs the Tier 1 prestige Season 1 enjoyed.
So whether the close proximity to TI 2024 impacted viewership due to viewer fatigue or from caliber of teams willing or able to participate, one thing is for sure – if you plan to host an event after The International, be forewarned that the viewership might not be there to witness the games, no matter how spectacular or historic they are.
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