Tencent secures three-year NFL digital partnership

Chinese online video company Tencent Holdings Ltd. has announced a three-year partnership with the National Football League (NFL), which will allow the Chinese tech company to become the exclusive live streaming media partner of the NFL in China.

Under their agreement, starting this September, Tencent is expected to broadcast live select preseason games, including all Thursday Night Football, Sunday Night Football and Monday Night Football games, as well as select Sunday afternoon games, the playoffs, the Pro Bowl and the Super Bowl for the 2017, 2018 and 2019 seasons.

The partnership also features other media rights, such as the NFL Draft, NFL Combine, NFL Game Day, NFL Hard Knocks and A Football Life. Viewers within China will be able to stream the programs through Tencent’s mobile and desktop platforms, including Tencent Sports, Tencent News, Tencent Video, Kuai Bao, Penguin Live, WeChat and QQ.

As NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said, "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."

Tencent Vice President Caitlyn Chen stated, “We believe our capability in production, content distribution and engagement of our fans will help the NFL expand its audience profile and elevate the popularity of American football in China.”

Source: jiemian

Proofread by William Logsdon