Hong Kong sports broadcaster LeSports HK is expected to cease operations this week after an application was filed by its creditors, according to daily newspaper the Standard.
MP & Silva and Media Partners & Silva have submitted an application to liquidate Hong Kong Sports Industrial Development, which was formerly known as LeTV Sports Culture Develop (Hong Kong).
According to the Standard, the High Court has scheduled the hearing for May 16.
However, the report added that a message that had circulated amongst LeSports HK staff had suggested that the company would cease operations this Friday due to rent arrears, with programming set to cease as soon as tomorrow (Thursday).
LeSports HK still has rights to English football’s Premier League and the NBA basketball league in Hong Kong. However, the Standard said that Now TV is likely to take over coverage of the Premier League.
The South China Morning Post added that the court papers that had been filed did not provide any further information about the case, aside from the names of the creditors.
The report added that MP & Silva had previously stripped LeSports HK of its rights to show English football’s FA Cup final last year after the media company defaulted on rights-fee payments.
Following disruptions to coverage this past weekend, subscribers who have emailed the company have received the response: “LeSports HK would like to express our sincere apologies for the Premier League broadcasting problem. LeSports HK is now investigating the cause of the problem and waiting for the result.”