Inflight entertainment specialist, Encore, has entered into an exclusive content agreement with Blast, the esports entertainment company, to bring its flagship series Blast.tv: Paris Major and The Launders Show to airline passengers worldwide. This deal marks Blast’s first IFE content distribution deal, and the first time that premium esports content of this kind will be available onboard aircraft.
The agreement grants Encore exclusive rights to distribute Blast.tv: Paris Major and The Launders Show across its global network of airline customers. The three-part Blast.tv: Paris Major documentary offers a behind-the-scenes look at the final Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Major.
Part one, titled A Major History, is retrospective on a decade of CS:GO Majors, chronicling the rise of the global esports scene. Part two, Making It Major, takes a look behind the curtain at the people, planning, and passion that made the Paris Major possible. The final part, Live to Win, is 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 esports personality Mohan ‘Launders’ Govindasamy, will provide an 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’re 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 planning future collaborations that will continue to bring esports content onboard.
