Feeding on the popularity of live competitive gaming, the House of Mouse has launched Nintendo Switch Family Showdown, a new US contest where select families battle head-to-head in a series of Nintendo game challenges broadcast across Disney’s linear and digital platforms.
Beginning today, parents and legal caretakers of eligible kids ages six to 18 can submit a video up to one minute in length, explaining why they’re the biggest Nintendo fans. Four families will ultimately be selected to compete in the Nintendo Switch Family Showdown, which will air on Disney Channel and Disney XD, and stream on the DisneyNOW app later this summer.
Challenges featured in the competition include searching for collectibles in Super Mario Odyssey, head-to-head matchups in Mario Tennis Aces and dance battles in Just Dance 2018. Selected families will head to Los Angeles on August 3 to meet Disney Channel stars and compete in the showdown to win prizes.
The contest moves Disney further into eSports programming territory following the launch of Disney XD’s new gaming-themed programming block D|XP last summer. D|XP features original shows from eSports platform Electronic Sports League (ESL)—ESL Brawlers and ESL Speedrunners—as well as series produced with ESPN, Disney Digital Network, IGN, Attack Media, Warner Bros. Television Group’s Blue Ribbon Content, Banger Films and VICE’s Waypoint.
Not to be outdone, Nickelodeon also continues to ratchet up its expanding eSports programming lineup with the recent addition of Super League Gaming Minecraft City Champs, an eSports series featuring teams of Minecraft players in a multi-week national tournament.