Encore and BLAST enter exclusive IFE esports partnership
A look at BLAST's Paris Major documentary
Encore has announced an exclusive content agreement with BLAST, an esports entertainment company, to bring its flagship series BLAST.tv: Paris Major and The Launders Show to airline passengers worldwide. This marks BLAST’s first inflight entertainment distribution deal and the first time premium esports content of this kind will be available onboard.
The agreement grants Encore the exclusive rights to distribute BLAST.tv: Paris Major and The Launders Show across its global network of airline partners. The three-part BLAST.tv: Paris Major documentary offers a dynamic, behind-the-scenes look at the final Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Major, featuring:
-
A Major History – A retrospective on a decade of CS:GO Majors, chronicling the rise of the global esports scene.
-
Making It Major – A look behind the curtain at the people, planning, and passion that made the Paris Major possible.
-
Live to Win – An emotional deep dive into the tournament’s defining moments, including breakout stories like Into The Breach, Heroic’s dramatic run, and Team Vitality’s hometown victory.
Additionally, The Launders Show, hosted by well-known esports personality Mohan "launders" Govindasamy, will provide a lighter, engaging perspective on the world of esports, featuring player interviews, in-depth analysis and exclusive insights into the professional gaming scene.
“Esports is now one of the most-watched forms of entertainment worldwide, particularly among Gen Z and millennial audiences,” said Edwin Cheung, VP of Sales at Encore. “With BLAST: Paris Major and The Launders Show, we’re introducing a fresh, culturally relevant genre to inflight entertainment, one that reflects how younger travellers are watching, following, and engaging with content today.”
With global esports viewership expected to surpass 640 million by 2025, the genre has quickly evolved from a niche pastime into a full-fledged entertainment category, drawing millions of fans, record-breaking live streams, and major brand partnerships. BLAST’s Paris Major alone attracted more than 1.5 million concurrent viewers and became the most-watched esports event in French history.
“We are thrilled to bring our storytelling to new heights—literally,” said ALew SVP at BLAST. “Encore’s reach in the aviation market gives us a unique opportunity to share some of BLAST's best content including The Launders Show and Paris Major documentaries with a global audience, showcasing the intensity, skill, and passion that define competitive gaming.”
Looking ahead, Encore and BLAST are excited about future collaborations that will continue to bring premium esports content onboard, offering even more engaging series for inflight audiences. Encore continues to diversify its IFE catalogue with content that resonates across demographics, offering airlines programming that not only entertains but also reflects the evolving tastes of the modern traveler.
