Introduction: The S15 season has ended, and it’s believed that the vast majority of players have been paying attention to the recent offseason. The LCK region experienced major personnel shifts but maintained steady results, securing the World Championship title multiple years in a row. T1 has always been a fan favorite, and with the reshuffling of major teams complete, the LCK K Cup has become a hot topic among players. Originally a highly entertaining event, this year’s competition intensified in competitiveness, even inviting teams from multiple regions. Recently, it was officially announced that T1 will participate with their full main roster, and the league has launched its first paid viewing model by switching to exclusive streaming on a platform, abandoning the previous free broadcasts. This move attempts to introduce pay-to-watch broadcasts.

LCK fires the first shot in paid viewing

Most players are quite familiar with T1, a veteran powerhouse in the LCK. Over the past few years, their overall achievements have been outstanding: reaching the World Championship finals four years in a row and winning the championship three consecutive times. Mid laner Faker has become a six-time world champion. This season, they made some roster changes, dropping AD carry Little Lu Bu and acquiring Peyz. From their performance in the previous Red Bull Cup, it seems Peyz has yet to fully integrate with the team, showing some coordination issues with teammates.

With the transfer window closed for major teams, the LCK K Cup has become a hot topic online. Previously, the organizers confirmed that all teams would field their main lineups for this event. The participating teams are numerous: ten LCK teams, C9, TL, plus all-star squads from Japan and Vietnam. The tournament lasts over a week. LPL teams are not participating, partly due to scheduling conflicts with the Demacia Cup and their own all-star events. These arrangements explain why LPL teams were not invited.

As the event approaches, LCK officials officially announced the K Cup competition. To enhance viewing appeal, they declared that participation in this K Cup is mandatory for eligibility to join South Korea’s national team for next year’s Asian Games. It was also confirmed that T1 will compete with their full main roster. Additionally, the broadcast platform changed: Disney+ OTT platform holds exclusive rights. Previously, esports matches were typically free on platforms like YouTube. This change is a deliberate attempt to trial paid broadcasting. In this sense, LCK has fired the first shot in paid viewing.

If the paid model truly launches, it’s uncertain how many fans will be willing to pay. The officials even used T1’s starting lineup as a selling point. According to the K Cup rules, Korean players who have moved to LPL cannot participate in the upcoming Asian Games, which is a pity for fans of AD carry Viper. This also explains why Scout and Kanavi returned to LCK — to compete in the Asian Games. It seems that even if paid viewing starts, free broadcasts will likely still appear, similar to the first Asian Games event, where many watched live rather than just replays.

Farewell thoughts

Currently, the league’s popularity is rapidly declining. Relying on Faker’s name alone to push paid viewing is surely self-destructive. While some may still follow LCK matches, interest in LPL will be minimal. Industry insiders have revealed that many LPL games even have staff posing as viewers, with the focus solely on results. Only winning the World Championship will truly attract fan support.

What do you, dear viewers, think about this situation?