Joystick

DirecTV has created a new channel devoted solely to broadcasting video game competitions, reports The Associated Press.

The games are part of the newly formed Championship Gaming Series, which pays top players at least $30,000 a year.

Broadcasts are two hours in length and contain multiple points of view of both game play and player actions. Games are taped in front of a studio audience of 200.

The idea is to bring the excitement of watching people playing a video game and turn it into a sport along the lines of baseball or football.

Advertisers, DirecTV and the producers hope, will be interested because of the attractive demographic drawn to video games.