Video

Newhouse Esports Update, Episode 1

By Andrew MacBeath Sep. 28, 2022

Esports Update is a web series that focuses on the competitive esports scene, providing postgame analysis and commentary on the many esports competitions held throughout the year. The show is designed to inform and explain esports and its professional scene to those who may not know esports nearly as well as traditional sports. The show is a mix between a traditional sports talk show and an informational YouTube video, combining the enthusiasm and professionalism of sports talk shows with the casual and personable side of YouTube content creation. Esports Update was created and inspired by the idea that esports should be covered with the same amount of production and care as traditional sports, especially with the market growing year after year. The show is fully produced, shot, and edited by 2022-23 BDJ Master’s student Andrew MacBeath.

Episode 1 of Esports Update introduces the viewer to League of Legends, the most popular esport in the world. MacBeath explains the basics of the game and competitive play as a preview for the 2022 World Championships starting on September 29^th.

About the reporter

Andrew MacBeath

Andrew MacBeath was born as a first-generation American in Arlington, Massachusetts. He attended his first professional sports game at Fenway Park, where he saw his childhood hero David Ortiz hit one of his 54 home runs that season. Ever since then he fell in love with sports, particularly baseball, basketball, and football. He played basketball in high school and won the league championship in his sophomore year. After visiting the school in his senior year of high school, MacBeath committed to High Point University in North Carolina, deciding to study Sports Media. In undergrad, he learned how to write a column, a deadline game story, and a Q&A style interview. He also earned some experience behind the camera and in the control room, broadcasting High Point’s division 1 sports to their dedicated audience on ESPN Plus. He attributes his love for producing and creating stories to his professors in the program and the experience he gained in SportsLink. Following graduation from High Point in May of 2022, MacBeath began his Master’s degree at Syracuse University, studying Broadcast and Digital Journalism. His ideal career can be summed up in one clear desire: he wants to tell stories and implement them in a visual format. Some of his greatest works in undergrad were short-form stories and packages, where he had creative liberty and could tell unique stories with the people across High Point’s campus. Now he hopes to use that passion to create the best content he can create for teams, broadcast stations, and networks. Aside from sports and production, Andrew also enjoys playing and listening to music. He has been playing the alto saxophone for ten years and plays jazz and ensemble music. He also enjoys playing video and tabletop games, both in person and online. MacBeath was also a leader in YoungLife, a Christian organization on campus at High Point. He led events and Bible studies on a weekly basis, promoting the club and discussing religion with his friends.