SHANGHAI: WWE and sports content streaming platform PP Sports have extended their partnership with a new multi-year agreement to continue delivering WWE’s weekly flagship programming live and in Mandarin across China.
In addition to airing ‘Raw’ and ‘SmackDown’, PP Sports will continue to offer WWE Network as a subscription video-on-demand service featuring all of WWE’s monthly pay-per-view events, including WrestleMania. As part of the extended agreement, PP Sports will also leverage their co-managed sports channels on other popular platforms Youku and Migu, significantly increasing the reach of WWE programming while driving engagement for fans in China.
“As the exclusive digital partner of WWE in China, PP Sports has delivered more than 300 episodes of WWE programming over the past three years. By providing exciting content through localized and targeted promotions, we have seen tremendous growth of WWE fans throughout the country. Our vision is to reach and engage with more fans with WWE’s family-friendly entertainment programming so we are excited to extend this partnership” said PP Sports deputy GM Dongmao Ge.
“PP Sports has been a valued partner that has helped us grow WWE’s passionate fanbase in China. We are pleased to renew our partnership and look forward to continuing to provide WWE’s unique blend of action-packed, family-friendly entertainment,” said WWE VP, GM Greater China Jay Li.
The extension comes as WWE is actively recruiting elite Chinese athletes and performers in advance of its largest tryout in China to date. The tryout takes place in Shanghai from 15-18th July where up to 50 male and female athletes will have the opportunity to showcase their abilities with the goal of being selected to train at the state-of-the-art WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida, U.S.
Last month, WWE announced the company’s return to China for the fourth consecutive year when WWE Live Shanghai comes to the Mercedes-Benz Arena on Saturday, 21st September 2019. Fans attending WWE Live Shanghai will see WWE Superstars including Roman Reigns, Kofi Kingston, Charlotte Flair, Asuka, and Kevin Owens, as well as Chinese nationals Xia Li and Boa, who are currently training at the WWE Performance Center.
