Korea’s K League returns to Chinese screens with K-Ball

Broadcast coverage of Korean football’s K League is available once again in China after an agreement was reached with online streaming service K-Ball.

K-Ball, the online streaming service of Win Power, a subsidiary of the China Sports Media agency, has secured exclusive rights from media group Eclat Entertainment.

The deal covers the remainder of the 2019 K League season.

The Korean league has been without a broadcaster in China since previous rights-holder LeSports, the streaming operator, ceased operating after amassing hefty debts. In 2015, CSM had acquired the K League rights in China and sold them on to LeSports.

Following LeSports’ demise, fans in China have only able to watch live coverage of K League matches by sourcing illegal streams.

An invitation to tender covering media and betting streaming rights over the next five seasons was launched by the K League last month.

Other football leagues that form part of the K-Ball portfolio include the J. League, Eredivisie, Major League Soccer and Australia’s A-League.