CCTV 5, the sports channel operated by Chinese state broadcaster CCTV, has acquired rights for football’s English Premier League.
The broadcaster announced on social media service Sina Weibo that it will show coverage of the 2015-16 season.
According to the Yutang Sports news service, CCTV 5 will broadcast games on weekends after striking a sublicensing deal with Super Sports Media Group, which has exclusive live Premier League rights to all 380 matches per season over six seasons, from 2013-14 to 2018-19, in mainland China and Macau.
The deal marks the first time since 2003 that CCTV will show coverage of the Premier League.