September viewership, engagement strong for Saints

This past month, streams were broadcast on Twitch.tv/SaintsGamingCA, totaling 34,320 views across Twitch and YouTube. The numbers are strong despite a late start to the semester with broadcasts going into full-swing on Sept. 16. The Saints expect the numbers to increase, or even double in October.

Following the announcement of that the Super Smash Bros. team would be on hiatus due to Covid-19, and the weekly Smash Class tournament with it, there was some worry that viewership would suffer. However, Production Manager Dan Banner said even without Smash content, he has been extremely pleased with viewership numbers thus far as viewership across the Saints other esports titles are rising to the occasion.

Banner says it’s the community to thank as support for each of the varsity esports teams has been wonderful.

“It's nice seeing broadcasts so lively and active during the matches,” added Banner. “We have coaches, staff, friends and fans supporting players from both teams in chat, or even learning about the game if they’re new to it. It's great to see. I know we may not have the biggest viewership in collegiate esports, but we easily have one of the best communities and I'll trade viewership numbers for an engaged audience any day.”

The Saints have a jam-packed schedule and have been broadcasting their teams 5-6 times per week since Sept. 16. The largest broadcast thus far was the CS:GO UCEA preseason opener on Sept. 22 which drew 528 unique viewers. Streams for OPSE’s League of Legends preseason and Collegiate Rainbow 6 were also strong.

With St. Clair College going remote for the semester due to Covid-19, Banner has been running the Saints broadcasts out of his living room. A vast difference from last year when all broadcasts were streamed from the college with a four-to-five man production crew at his disposal. This semester, Banner has worked both sides of the broadcasts, often casting and observing at the same time. With the classes getting underway on Sept. 21, help began to arrive for Banner as he was able to utilize students from the Esports Administration and Entrepreneurship Program to fill in the gaps as casters, allowing him to focus on the production.

The Saints are continuing to look for on-air talent for League of Legends, CS:GO, Rocket League, Hearthstone, Overwatch and more. If you are interested, contact Dan Banner on Discord: Danners#1338.

Banner has shifted to broadcasting from home as a one-man production team (left). Previously, all broadcasts were streamed from the Saints esports training facility, The Nest, at St. Clair College (right).

Banner has shifted to broadcasting from home as a one-man production team (left). Previously, all broadcasts were streamed from the Saints esports training facility, The Nest, at St. Clair College (right).

Chris Funston