LCS criticized due to lack of content, poor broadcast production

League of Legends fans are not happy with the production values of the LCS. Three weeks into the 2020 LCS Spring Split, fans are wondering why North America’s on-air product doesn’t look as good as that of other regions.

The criticism started with an overlay that, according to the fans, looks basic and doesn’t have some of the extra features that can be found elsewhere. It isn’t just the in-game product that is leaving fans wanting, either. The other point of concern is a lack of additional content such as skits and educational sections during the broadcast. Overall, the LCS production feels plain and simple.

The viewers compared the LCS with the LEC broadcast. When the EU LCS transitioned into the LEC, the league went through a rebranding and started a new era with a cleaner, unique look. The LCS also changed names, but it kept the same look and production level.

“LCS used to have better production but worse teams. Now LEC has better production, better teams, and is all-around more entertaining. Time to step it up, LCS,” Cloud9’s Christopher “MonteCristo” Mykles wrote on Twitter.

Through its partnership with Kia Motors, the LEC released a song to promote the league. That’s not the only musical addition to the LEC universe. As part of its partnership with Warner Music, the league promotes a “Song of the Week” during the breaks. The LEC makes its partners part of the broadcast, while the LCS just adds the commercials without any changes.

The LCS struggles in 2020

So far, the 2020 Spring Split has been hit-and-miss for the LCS. The league split its broadcast into four days by adding the Academy Rush on Fridays and Monday Night League. The first edition of Academy Rush was a massive failure, with the viewers that tuned in complaining about how confusing the format was.

On Mondays, the Academy games are averaging under 20,000 viewers. The actual LCS games haven’t been doing much better, with Monday Night League’s viewership being a massive flop to this point.

The league is in desperate need of a change if it wants to keep the audience interested.