Chinese tech and entertainment corporation LeTV has signed a three-year contract with Major League Baseball to stream live games in China, Macau and Hong Kong.
The Chinese company and Major League Baseball announced the deal on Wednesday, Jan. 6, at CES in Las Vegas. The deal is the first professional baseball media agreement in the robust Chinese market, according to China Sports.
LeTV's growing sports division, Le Sports, will have an exceptional media rights in China to stream 125 Major League Baseball games per season, in addition to Mandarin-language MLB programming, through its Internet platform, OTT gadgets and mobile apps.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the companies revealed that the scheduled 125-game streaming lineup includes 20 HD postseason games, Home Run Derby, four HD games per week during the regular season, and all World Series games. Besides live streaming the games, Le Sports will also have rights to rebroadcast those games on demand via video.
Robert D. Manfred Jr., Major League Baseball Commissioner, said, "This historic partnership with Le Sports exemplifies Major League Baseball's diversified approach to serving international communities."
China is an important frontier for the growth of baseball. LeTV's new, prominent place on Le Sports platform both reaffirms and expands the company's dedication to growing the game in China.
In addition to broadcasting games, Le Sports as well will create an online community for 30 Major League Baseball clubs and nurture youth interest in the sport through broadcasting games from the Beijing University Baseball League and Shanghai University Baseball League, along with Major League Baseball Play Ball Youth Program games.
Le Sport is a fast-growing company in online sports broadcasting. The company holds rights to more than 200 sports apart from organizing events. Le Sport's other unique deals include the English Premier League in Hong Kong from 2016-2019 and Chinese streaming rights to Wimbledon from 2016-2018.