Chinese internet giant Tencent has snapped up the internet broadcasting rights to the 2016 Rio Olympics within the Chinese mainland.

This deal, under which the broadcasting rights have been resold by Chinese all sports channel CCTV 5, is thought to be worth RMB100 million (about US$15.07m). Under this deal, the internet conglomerate will broadcast the 17-day Olympic Games through its online channels. Fans in China will be able to watch highlights of different sports via Tencent platforms.

According to a SportsBusiness report by Tripp Mickle, in the year 2012, the International Olympic Committee sold its TV rights in China for the 2014 and 2016 Olympics to CCTV for an estimated $160 million.

Tencent, which is also the unique internet service provider of the Chinese Olympic Committee, is planning to combine its advanced broadcast channels with the use of sports stars. During the 2016 Rio Olympics, the company is going to invite more than 40 Chinese sports stars to share information and opinions with fans via its live broadcast platforms.

Source: Tencent

Proofread by Sean O Diobhilin