Hello Industry Friends, here is the very latest news and insights from Asia.
📰 Headlines: WTT renews deal with Migu, IShowSpeed goes viral during China tour, PSG & Novotel open legendary rooms in Indonesia and China, Alex Albon debuts for The Standard, and FIBA 3X3 unites basketball community in Asia.
🗞️ Key Industry News
Migu Scores Big with WTT Renewal Through 2028
WTT just secured a major win in China, renewing its streaming deal with Migu for another four years. The agreement means fans across the country can keep watching all WTT Series events live on the platform - no surprise, since China is table tennis’s biggest market. With China Mobile’s backing, Migu remains the go-to for top-tier table tennis action. Game on!. Read more on SportBusiness (English)
💡 Mailman Take: Table tennis isn’t just a sport in China; it’s practically a national obsession. The country dominates the game, producing Olympic legends and turning players into celebrities. So when Migu (backed by state-owned telecom giant China Mobile) locks down exclusive WTT rights until 2028, it’s like ESPN securing the NFL for another decade.
State Media Hails YouTube Star IShowSpeed’s China Tour
IShowSpeed, a YouTube sensation from the US, is being hailed by Chinese government officials and state media as evidence of a growing desire for mutual understanding between Americans and Chinese. The 20-year-old influencer, with over 37m YouTube followers, went viral after live-streaming his visits to Beijing and Shanghai non-stop for six hours in the two major cities. Read more on SCMP (English)
💡 Mailman Take: YouTube star IShowSpeed is electrifying China, smashing cultural barriers for his 37M fans - even state media like Global Times praised his unfiltered adventures. From connecting with Jackson Wang to exploring high-tech hubs and EVs, Speed’s viral energy is fueling billions of views and 1M+ new followers. China’s tourism push, via visa-free policies, gets a global boost from his spotlight. Surprise hit with Gen Z and officials alike, his trip could inspire more Western creators to dive into real China experiences. Speed’s East-West bridge? A game-changer.
Novotel x PSG Launch Legendary Rooms in Asia with Legends
Novotel Jakarta Cikini, as part of the Accor Group, has introduced a new, immersive room dedicated to football legend Javier Pastore, in collaboration with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). The Legendary Room, part of Novotel’s global initiative, immerses guests in Javier Pastore’s PSG legacy. PSG and Accor Group did a similar activation in Shanghai with legend Nicolas Anelka. Read more on TTG Asia (English)
💡 Mailman Take: This innovative move redefines hotel marketing in Indonesia, tapping into the country’s passionate football fan base. It highlights a major opportunity for the industry to engage new audiences beyond traditional hospitality. For PSG, this collaboration strengthens its presence in Indonesia, extending beyond social media to real-world experiences. This strategic step deepens fan loyalty and expands their reach in a growing football market.
Alex Albon Debuts as a Columnist for The Standard
Alex Albon, the Thai-British F1 driver from Williams, has signed an agreement to become a monthly columnist for The Standard, a Thai sports media outlet, for the entire season. He published his first column in mid-February, sharing insights from the pre-season period.
💡Mailman Take: Bringing active global athletes as columnists is a first for the Thai media industry, receiving a very positive response. This is particularly notable as Thailand is currently pushing to host an F1 race itself in the world-class Bangkok city.
Basketball Community Unites at FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup 2025
A week-long celebration of basketball will see the sports community come together at the Singapore Sports Hub for the FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup 2025 with exciting action on and off the court. Read more on PRNewswire (English)
Nanjing Successfully Hosts World Athletics Indoor Championships
As China's first-ever hosting of the world's highest-level indoor track and field event, this three-day sports gala attracted nearly 600 athletes from over 120 countries and regions. Read more on Morning Star (English)
AirAsia backs LIV’s Ripper GC
Australian LIV Golf team Ripper GC has agreed a sponsorship deal with AirAsia. The deal has been announced ahead of the start of the LIV Golf Singapore event tomorrow at Sentosa Golf Club. Read more on SportBusiness (English)
🎮 Esports
Ubisoft Forms Strategic Subsidiary Backed by Tencent Investment
The France-based game publisher has announced the creation of a new dedicated subsidiary that will spearhead the development and evolution of its flagship franchises. Backed by Chinese conglomerate Tencent, the deal will see the company invest around $1.25bn for a 25% economic interest in the new entity, which Ubisoft values at $4.3bn post-transaction. Read more on Esports Advocate (English)
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