China
CSL renegotiates with CSM and sells international rights to IMG
China Sports Media’s deal for Chinese Super League domestic rights – the emblematic deal of China’s sports-rights gold rush – will be worth just two-thirds of its initial annual value following a renegotiation.
New Australian Open deals in China and sub-Saharan Africa
The value of Australian Open tennis rights in China increased by 75 per cent in the new cycle, from 2018 onward, following new digital and linear broadcast deals.
Chinese Super League strikes new deal with rights-holder
The China Sports Media agency has struck a five-year extension to its rights deal for the Chinese Super League, the top division of domestic club football.
Pyeongchang 2018 signs Weibo partnership
The Pyeongchang Organising Committee for the 2018 Olympic and Paralympic winter Games (POCOG) has agreed a strategic partnership with Chinese social media platform Weibo.
Google backs Chinese esports platform
Internet company Google has invested in Chinese esports platform Chushou in a move designed to enhance its presence in a market where its search engine is not accessible.
LeEco founder fails to return to China
Jia Yueting, the founder of Chinese tech company LeEco, has defied an order to return to the country to address mounting debts.
SportsFix seals Chinese basketball partnership
Southeast Asian OTT service SportsFix has struck a rights deal with the Chinese Basketball Association.
Spengler Cup broadens reach as Chinese rights deal signed
Ice hockey’s Spengler Cup will be broadcast in China, the UK, Ireland and Georgia for the first time when its 2017 edition takes place later this month.
Premiership Rugby claims first with Chinese rights deal
Chinese free-to-air sports broadcaster CCTV5 Plus has acquired rights to the English Premiership club rugby union competition.
LeEco founder placed on debt blacklist
Jia Yueting, the founder of Chinese tech company LeEco, has been placed on a debt defaulter blacklist by a Beijing court.
NetEase strikes FFF partnership
The French Football Federation has signed a content agreement with Chinese media company NetEase.
CBA nears media-rights target for year one of in-house sales
The Chinese Basketball Association is close to reaching its media-rights income target of $60m (€51m) per season for the current cycle.
IRena not close to breaking even on Chinese Volleyball League deal
Event and venue management company iRena is making a substantial loss on its deal for all Chinese Volleyball League media and marketing rights.
Tencent teams up with Chinese skating body
Online streaming platform Tencent has signed an exclusive online rights deal with the Chinese Skating Association.
Tencent acquires stake in Snap
Chinese online streaming platform Tencent has acquired a 12 per cent stake in Snap Inc, the parent company of social media platform Snapchat.
Tennis Australia expands iQiyi deal for Australian Open in China
Streaming platform iQiyi has almost doubled its fee in a renewed deal for Australian Open digital rights in China.
Alibaba adds Pac-12 media rights to expand Chinese partnership
US college sports conference the Pac-12 has increased its annual media-rights income in China by about 66 per cent after agreeing a long-term deal with Alisports.
Real Madrid teams up with Sina Weibo
Spanish LaLiga football club Real Madrid has struck a strategic partnership with Chinese social media platform Sina Weibo.