Ryan “Fwiz” Wyatt Joins MLG as VP of Programming
Chris Puckett Moves to VP, Executive Producer eSports Report, MLG Pro Circuit Broadcasts
NEW YORK, April 17, 2014 – Major League Gaming (MLG), continues to further its position as the global leader in eSports today announcing Ryan “Fwiz” Wyatt (@Fwiz) has joined MLG’s robust executive team as VP of Programming. He began his career with MLG and returns after three years serving as head of Live and eSports for Machinima. Ryan is one of the most recognized broadcast personalities in eSports and as VP of Programming, he will work directly with MLG.tv’s fast growing roster of eSports leagues and personalities and MLG’s own production studio to develop premium MLG.tv programming for its growing global audience.
Ryan joins MLG following a 1376% increase in MLG.tv viewership in Q1 2014 with 60% month over month growth since the platform launched in December 2013. Demand and engagement is high with viewers watching an average of 157 minutes per visit. To answer the demand for more premium content, Ryan will focus on creating new and original shows that appeal to the broad fan base while attracting top players, teams and talent to broadcast via the MLG.tv premium network. He will also work with MLG.tv’s premium content partners to continue developing the richest live content offering for eSports fans in the world. His personal live video and YouTube channels will also air exclusively via MLG.tv and MLG’s YouTube network.
“MLG fueled my eSports career six years ago and I am thrilled to return as VP of Programming. The exceptional growth of MLG.tv has been inspiring and that success ultimately drew me back to the company,” said Ryan “Fwiz” Wyatt, MLG VP of Programming. “Leveraging my expertise and passion for eSports, I am committed to continuing to stoke the growth by developing high-quality programming and working with the top talent and organizations in the gaming industry to build the most entertaining live platform.”
“MLG.tv’s viewership is beyond our expectations and we’re investing in the best executive talent in the world to ensure it’s the premier live video platform for gaming. Ryan is a programming thought leader in our industry who will help take MLG.tv into the future,” said Mike Sepso, President and co-founder. “With Ryan on the team, Chris Puckett can focus 100% on expanding ESR from the premier weekly eSports news property to the world’s first daily, real-time news source for the global eSports phenomenon.”
Chris Puckett (@MLGPuckett), current VP of programming, will now become VP, Executive Producer of MLG.tv’s eSports Report (ESR) and all MLG Pro Circuit competition broadcasts. Since launching ESR last year, Chris has spearheaded the shows rapid success recently moving it from a weekly to a daily broadcast because of its growing popularity. The demand requires his full attention and in his new role, he will continue to leverage his creativity and expertise to further ESR’s position as the world’s leading daily news source for eSports coverage.
Most recently, MLG announced professional video gamer and social media super star Matthew “Nadeshot” Haag (@OpTic_NaDeSHoT) and his team OpTic Gaming will be streaming exclusively via the MLG.tv premium video platform. Additionally, on the heels of releasing the MLG app for Xbox 360, MLG has broadened content distribution with the release of MLG.tv apps for iOS (www.mlg.tv/iosapp) and Android (www.mlg.tv/androidapp). Since launching in late 2013, demand and engagement for MLG.tv premium content has soared making it the definitive platform for streamers and advertisers looking to reach a deeply engaged audience.
About Ryan “Fwiz” Wyatt:
After getting his start with MLG as the Head of Online Tournaments on GameBattles and as an MLG event referee, Ryan has become one of the most prolific personalities in competitive gaming and the growing digital streaming space with hundreds of thousands of fans and followers via social media. Most recently, he served as head of live and eSports for Machinima helping to create and launch the Machinima Network which became one of You Tube’s top gaming channels. During his three years with Machinima he also launched and managed the eSports vertical known as Machinima VS. which focuses on creating original eSports programming and covering the largest eSports competitions in the world such as the MLG Pro Circuit. In addition to his development position, Ryan has become a leading eSports commentator casting all major Call of Duty events since 2009 and joining Chris Puckett to offer play by play for MLG Pro Circuit competitions.
MLG.tv Programming: Schedule available at MLG.tv/schedule
MLG.tv programming is available via the new MLG mobile apps, MLG app for Xbox 360 and MLG.tv on the web and includes:
MLG’s eSports Report – showcasing the latest news in competitive gaming.
Nadeshot on MLG.tv (www.mlg.tv/nadeshot) – exclusive streaming partner.
MLG Call of Duty: Ghosts Pro League Season Two – airing from April 19 – June 14.
MLG Championship – June 20-22 – broadcast live from Anaheim, CA, and featuring thousands of the best gamers playing Call of Duty: Ghosts, StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm and Super Smash Brothers Melee.
MLG partner streams including international eSports leagues Gfinity and ACL Pro, top Call of Duty player Scumpii, premier teams such as OpTic Gaming, EnVyUs, FaZe and Curse and You Tube sensations Syndicate and Seananners.