NFL and China's Tencent strike digital streaming deal

AFP News

21 August 2017 at 6:48 am

The NFL is targeting 2019 for a potential game in China and has brought over a series of top players to promote the league in recent years, including New England Patriots star quarterback Tom Brady in June

The US National Football League on Monday announced an agreement granting tech giant Tencent exclusive digital streaming rights for NFL games in China, as the world's richest sports league by revenues expands its China presence. Under the three-year agreement Shenzhen-based Tencent will stream live and on-demand NFL pre-season, regular-season and playoff games plus the Super Bowl and other content in China, they announced in a joint statement. Financial details were not disclosed. The NFL's uniquely American brand of gridiron football has traditionally lagged the US National Basketball Association (NBA) and European soccer leagues in drawing a Chinese following. But the NFL has pushed aggressively in recent years and reports growing interest as Chinese consumers armed with smartphones seek more diverse sources of mobile sport and entertainment. The NFL said its digital live-streaming viewership in China grew 17 percent in 2016 to 37 million unique viewers while video-on-demand jumped 52 percent to 282 million views, under contracts with previous partners. "We are confident that this agreement will provide our growing number of Chinese fans with a better viewing experience and more opportunities for engagement with the NFL than ever before," NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in the statement. The deal allows the NFL to tap into Tencent's growing digital ecosystem in China, which is headlined by its dominant WeChat messaging platform but includes online transactions, gaming, and other features. The NFL remains hugely popular in the US market, generating $13 billion in revenue in 2016 -- the highest among domestic sports leagues worldwide -- but is also looking abroad for growth. The NFL will stage four games in London in the coming season and a fifth in Mexico City. It is targeting 2019 for a potential game in China and has brought over a series of top players to promote the league in recent years, including New England Patriots star quarterback Tom Brady in June.

The Telegraph
Beauty queen shot dead after octopus ceviche order led killers to restaurant
An Ecuadorian beauty queen was assassinated after her Instagram post of a plate of octopus ceviche led gunmen to the restaurant where she was dining.
INSIDER
A NATO country says it could join Ukraine's war with Russia if 2 conditions are met
French President Emmanuel Macron said France could send troops if requested by Ukraine in response to a Russian breakthrough.
CNN
China’s Shaolin monks are known for their incredible acrobatics. This photographer captured them in action
The photographer reflects on how he took the memorable shot back in 2004, in one of the martial arts academies that had sprung up near the Shaolin Temple.
The Telegraph
The trickle of companies leaving China is becoming a flood
In the context of a sprawling global leviathan that has just posted profits of $7.7bn (£6.1bn) in the last three months alone, Shell’s decision to close a small power generation unit in China amounts to little more than a rounding error on its books.
INSIDER
Stormy unchained: Lawyers for Trump and porn star struggled to control her after hush-money story broke in 2018
Years-old text messages between attorneys for Donald Trump and Stormy Daniels were entered into evidence in Trump's hush-money trial.
People
Rumer Willis Praises Mom Demi Moore's 'Bangin'' Bikini Body
"If my genetics are at least half that good, I'm solid," said Willis of her mother's "bangin'" body
People
Heartbreaking Story Behind Dad Who Added Daughter's Necklace to Headstone After His 3 Kids Were Killed (Exclusive)
Ray Simmons dedicates himself to maintaining the resting place of his son Christopher, 16, and daughters Kamryn, 15, and Lindy, 20
The Guardian
‘A disgrace’: Ratcliffe reads riot act after visiting Manchester United facilities
Manchester United’s chief of football operations has railed at a ‘high degree of untidiness’ in the club’s offices and dressing rooms
SETHLUI.COM
Northern Thai: Delicious ‘creamy’ tom yum by Thai superwoman worth the queue
The post Northern Thai: Delicious ‘creamy’ tom yum by Thai superwoman worth the queue appeared first on SETHLUI.com.
The Independent
Marvel boss warned Hugh Jackman not to return as Wolverine in Deadpool 3
Actor is reprising the role for the 10th time opposite Ryan Reynolds
BuzzFeed
Spine-Chilling Stories: Nurses Recall Ghostly Encounters And Supernatural Experiences While On Duty
Hospitals...where the supernatural becomes super natural.
Cosmo
EmRata's plunging gold gown is best described as melted butter
Emily Ratajkowski attended the 2024 The King's Trust Global Gala wearing a gold satin backless dress with a plunging neckline best described as melted butter.
The Independent
Heartbreaking video shows abandoned puppy chasing owners’ car after being dumped
Bear, a German Shepherd mix puppy is now being looked after at a Fresno rescue awaiting adoption
Sky News
Bodies found in search for Australian brothers and US man missing on Mexico surfing trip
Bodies have been found in the search for two Australian brothers and a US tourist who went missing in northern Mexico. The remains were found south of Ensenada, near where the men - Jake and Callum Robinson from Australia and American Jack Carter Rhoad - went missing last weekend. The location where the bodies were recovered, close to the town of Santo Tomas in Baja California state, is near where the men went missing, Mexican authorities said.
INSIDER
China has a lot more missiles — with US warships and bases in its sights
China has transformed its missile stockpiles and capabilities, shaping what war would look like in the Pacific, US military leaders and experts said.
Twentytwo13
US$1.7b in Indonesia, Azure data centre in Thailand, US$2.2b in Malaysia: All eyes on spillover effect as Microsoft goes big in SEA
Microsoft's series of investments in Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia are not surprising, as the tech giant had earlier announced a US$10 billion investment in AI abroad. All eyes are now on the upskilling of the local workforce and the creation of economic opportunities for governments, businesses, and communities in the region. The post US$1.7b in Indonesia, Azure data centre in Thailand, US$2.2b in Malaysia: All eyes on spillover effect as Microsoft goes big in SEA appeared first on Twentytw
Yahoo Life UK
My boyfriend dumped me after I cured his sex problem
Their sex life was blighted by his erectile dysfunction, but 10 months later, with the issue solved, he left her to play the field.
Fortune
Apple’s China sales tell a different story than what analysts have heard for months. Where is the disconnect?
Independent researchers painted a bleak picture of Apple’s China business during the most recent quarter, but the damage was lighter than expected.
Evening Standard
Declan Rice makes mockery of Arsenal price tag after Mikel Arteta masterstroke
England midfielder transformed as he delivers another man-of-the-match display in Bournemouth win
SETHLUI.COM
Char Siew Yoong: Pudu’s legendary buttery, melt-in-the mouth char siew continues to reign supreme
The post Char Siew Yoong: Pudu’s legendary buttery, melt-in-the mouth char siew continues to reign supreme appeared first on SETHLUI.com.

Latest stories