Major sports broadcaster Eurosport has announced a deal that will see one of the fastest growing leagues in the world being broadcasted live.
They have acquired an exclusive live TV rights deal to the Chinese Super League. The pan-European sports broadcaster’s deal begins immediately.
Three-year deal
As well as the remainder of the 2012 season, live matches will be screened in 59 countries over the next two years.
The first of three matches live at the end of the current campaign comes this weekend, where Shanghai Shenhua clash with Changchun Yatai in a 12.45pm kick-off on Saturday.
The majority of live action will be covered on Eurosport’s sister station, Eurosport 2.
Shanghai’s final two matches of the season will also be live. They are games against Dalian Aerbin on October 27 at 10.30am UK time and against Qingdao on November 3 at 11am.
The deal adds to Eurosport’s strong commitment to showing live Asian football, as they already boast live coverage of the J League in Japan and the AFC Champions League in Asia, which is the equivalent of the UEFA Champions League in Europe.
Starting to get noted
Due to the vast time difference between the UK and China, live coverage of matches will also be available on the internet, through mobile and various tablets, courtesy of the Eurosport Player streaming service.
The Chinese Super League is starting to get noted around the world. For the 2012 season, the league expanded to 16 teams from 12 and plenty of major stars have headed to the Chinese shores this year.
Nicolas Anelka was the first to head to the country, leaving Chelsea for Shanghai Shenhua in January and he was joined in the summer by the club’s Champions League hero Didier Drogba.
Former Barcelona player Seydou Keita is now featuring for Dalian Aerbin and ex-Everton and Blackburn goal machine Yakubu (pictured) is plying his trade for Guangzhou R&F.
It is starting to make its mark on the international game and this deal highlights its significant growing impact.
So, if Chelsea fans can’t bear facing Spurs live on Sky Sports on Saturday lunchtime, tune into Eurosport 2 to see former heroes Drogba and Anelka. It could be an intriguing watch.
By Simon Wright – Follow me on Twitter @Siwri88
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