Steven Roberts

Steven Roberts , Sony Interactive Entertainment Global Vice President of Competitive Gaming, is responsible for designing and executing a strategy around the dynamic industry of esports for the PlayStation platform and its 100 mm plus homes. Most recently, Roberts was Chairman of ESL NA, the largest esports company in the world. He largely focused on strategic partnerships, media distribution, production and overall mentorship of the executive team. Prior roles were as Senior Vice President for DIRECTV, Inc. In this position, Steven was responsible for developing and executing strategies designed to integrate the traditional DIRECTV entertainment experience on the set-top-box with emerging digital technologies. This included the delivery of content via the Internet on other platforms such as the PC, mobile, and portable devices inside and outside the home. Roberts directed DIRECTV’s TV Everywhere initiative internally, managing all details of implementation, including, setting strategy and negotiating rights with programmers. He was also responsible for the DIRECTV 3D initiative, DIRECTV’s overall sports strategy and other programming and advertising initiatives.

Roberts’s previous role at DIRECTV was as Vice President, Strategic Initiatives, DIRECTV Entertainment. In this role, he spearheaded the development and launch of several new businesses, including the production of original content for DIRECTV’s Audience Network and the creation of a joint venture between News Corp.’s BSKYB (UK) and STAR (Asia) focused on the first global esports League called the Championship Gaming Series.

Roberts was also responsible for the development of DIRECTV’s initial IPTV strategy and its initiative to deliver video content via broadband for the DIRECTV On Demand service, which launched in 2007. He also oversaw the successful launch of Game Lounge, a 24x7 interactive games channel, and developed and managed the successful execution of the first ever OTT distributed service for a major league with NFL SUNDAY TICKET on PlayStation.

Roberts joined DIRECTV in 2005 from Sportsvision, a FOX backed company, where he served as executive vice president. During his time at Sportsvision, Roberts brought the ubiquitous “yellow line” to every televised football game, and also expanded the product line to include broadcast enhancements for FOX Sports, NBC, ESPN and Turner. Roberts holds a bachelor's degree from the University of California, Berkeley.