China

Jiangsu Suning Sports, whose sister operations include streaming platform PPTV, has formed a partnership with sports and entertainment company DDMC in order to strengthen their respective positions in the Chinese sports media market.

Chinese internet company Tencent has signed an exclusive digital media partnership with the French Tennis Federation (FFT) for coverage of the French Open grand slam tournament at Roland-Garros.

Chinese internet operator Sina has entered into a strategic partnership with the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF).

LeSports, which is operated by Chinese internet company LeEco, has said it has sealed a new round of funding that values it at Y24bn (€3.2bn/$3.5bn), adding that its investors will form a new body that will seek to supervise its financial affairs.

Ascot Racecourse has agreed an exclusive broadcast rights deal with the Sina Sports division of Chinese internet operator Sina covering the forthcoming edition of British horseracing showpiece Royal Ascot.

The AFL Aussie rules football league has today (Friday) announced that three Chinese free-to-air broadcasters will show live coverage of its upcoming game in the country.

The IMG China division of the WME|IMG agency has formed a partnership with Focus Media International Technology that will feature video content distribution in China.

Streaming platform PPTV’s acquisition of Bundesliga digital rights in China last month secures its position as the country’s pre-eminent football broadcaster.

The Chinese Basketball Association has ended its media-rights relationship with the Infront Sports & Media agency and will launch a sales process for a new deal.

The Sina Sports division of Chinese internet operator Sina has signed content deals with golf’s PGA Tour and the LPGA ladies’ tour.

Chinese retail giant Suning has agreed a media and strategic partnership with the German Football League (DFL), according to Kicker.

The Lagardère Sports and U! Sports agencies have signed an agreement with US-based distributor Madison Communications that secures coverage in China of the 2017 World Games multi-sport event.

The Infront Sports & Media agency has extended a rights distribution and commercial partnership with the Chinese Basketball Association.

The International Basketball Federation (Fiba) has agreed a nine-year extension to its long-running rights agreement with Chinese state broadcaster CCTV.

The Chinese division of North American basketball league the NBA has entered into a multi-year partnership with Chinese social media platform Sina Weibo.

Chinese retail giant Suning’s sporting subsidiaries are filling gaps in the country’s media-rights market left by the retreat of streaming operator LeSports.