The LEC playoffs saw peak viewership drop 33% compared to the highest-viewed Los Ratones match from the group stage earlier this split.
The comparison pits the playoffs’ best showing against the peak moment from LR’s run through the regular season. Los Ratones entered the league as a streamer-led roster built around personalities familiar to Caedrel’s co-streaming audience. Their matches drew unusually high peaks during group play.
Scheduling played a major role in the playoff slump. A significant portion of playoff series aired on Mondays and Tuesdays rather than weekends. Valorant broadcasts took priority on Saturdays and Sundays, pushing League matches into weekday evening slots when fewer viewers tune in.
Series length compounded the issue. Multiple playoff matchups ended quickly in 2-0 or 3-0 sweeps. Shorter series mean fewer games and less time for viewership to build momentum. Close five-game series typically drive the highest peaks, but the playoffs lacked competitive depth.
Co-streaming dynamics also factor into the numbers. Caedrel’s broadcasts pull substantial viewership during LEC matches. Some viewers follow the personality rather than the official channel. French broadcasts through KC-affiliated streamers add another layer to how total viewership gets distributed and measured.
The comparison may be incomplete. If the data snapshot came before marquee elimination matches or the grand final, the playoff peak could still rise. Later bracket stages with higher stakes typically draw larger audiences.
When sweeps don’t sweep viewers in
Peak viewership differs from average viewership. The 33% figure measures the single highest concurrent moment, not sustained watch time across broadcasts. Some reports suggest playoffs actually maintained higher average viewership than the group stage despite the lower peak.
The metric still matters. Peak viewership captures maximum interest and often determines headline coverage. For a league competing for attention in a crowded esports calendar, losing a third of peak performance raises questions about format and scheduling choices.
