A Major League Gaming promo

This week both Comcast and CBS separately announced they will televise pro gaming events, making it the first time the coverage will air on network TV instead of just niche cable networks like G4 and the internet.

In Comcast's case, it's unveiled an agreement with Major League Gaming, a professional league; the two will provide content on Comcast's on-demand service, and also Comcast's GameInvasion.net website - previously only availably to the company's high-speed internet customers, reports Red Herring.

CBS coverage will include a one-hour special set to air on December 30. The show will feature footage of several professional gamers, including Johnathan "Fatal1ty" Wendel - one of the sport's best-known U.S. competitors.

"If you're going to have several shows devoted to plastic surgery, it makes sense you'd have one devoted to video games," said Alexis Madrigal, an analyst with gaming industry research firm DFC Intelligence. "It's a pretty natural thing.