Tencent clinches English Premier League deal to replace PPTV as official broadcast partner for China market
- Tencent will show the rest of the season’s games on its digital platforms including WeChat, QQ.com and Tencent Video
- Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed after PPTV was terminated for failing to make payments
Social media and gaming giant Tencent Holdings Ltd will show English Premier League soccer in China after the previous local partner stopped paying broadcast fees.
The deal will bring some reassurance to clubs whose finances were thrown into turmoil when coronavirus lockdowns forced the suspension of the world’s wealthiest soccer league. China has been its most lucrative emerging market.
The league terminated its contract with local rights holder PPTV when it stopped payments, even after matches resumed. PPTV, owned by Suning Holdings Group Co, had a three-year contract worth more than £500 million (US$649 million), or about £25 million per team over the length of the contract.
The dispute with PPTV was just the latest case of acrimony between the UK and China after ties between the countries deteriorated in recent months.
Premier League Chief Executive Richard Masters said: “We are excited to have agreed this partnership with Tencent ensuring our supporters in China can enjoy following Premier League action throughout this season.
“We and our clubs have an extremely passionate fan base in China and are looking forward to working with the team at Tencent to engage with fans in new ways over the coming season.”