China

Chinese streaming service QIE Live has acquired rights to the newly-formed World Touring Car Cup (WTCR) motor-racing series.

Sina Sports is aiming to grow its mass-participation events to make up for its decision not to compete for premium sports rights, Sina’s senior vice president has told TV Sports Markets.

Major League Baseball has secured an uplift in the value of its media rights in China despite the early termination of its deal with LeSports.

The Formula One motor-racing championship has widened its broadcast reach in China for this weekend’s Chinese Grand Prix through three new rights deals.

The Ligue de Football Professionnel, the French football league, has sealed a rights deal with Chinese state broadcaster CCTV.

The AFL Aussie rules league has secured three separate free-to-air rights deals in China.

Chinese internet company Tencent has acquired rights for Major League Baseball as part of a broader partnership with the North American league.

Chinese sports and entertainment company Wuhan DDMC Culture Co has acquired rights for Spanish football’s LaLiga.

Chinese state broadcaster CCTV has acquired rights for the Formula One motor-racing world championship.

Asian mixed martial arts promotion the One Championship has agreed a rights deal with China’s Great Sports Media.

Chinese internet company Tencent has further strengthened its presence in the domestic live streaming market by making major investments in two platforms that specialise in esports.

State broadcaster CCTV, Shanghai-based satellite television broadcaster Great Sports and online streaming platform Tencent Sports will share rights to the 2018 season of the Formula One motor-racing championship in China, according to the Jiemian.com website.

North America’s Major League Soccer has agreed a streaming partnership with sports marketing agency China Sports Media.

The IMG agency has sealed a three-year extension to its contract to sell and distribute global media rights to the Chinese Super League, the top tier of club football in China.

Imagina, parent company of the Mediapro agency, and Orient Hontai Capital have formally sealed a deal through which the Chinese private equity firm will acquire a majority stake in the Spanish media group.

Chinese investment fund Orient Hontai has ratified a deal to acquire a controlling stake in Imagina, the parent company of the Mediapro agency, according to Spanish newspaper El Confidencial.