Hello Industry Friends, here is the very latest news and insights from Asia.
📰 Key Headlines: Amazon acquires Copa América rights in Japan, the FIBA House of Basketball opens in Shanghai, TrueVisions lands late EURO 2024 deal, Zhang Zhilei gives boxing a boost, and why Chinese companies are betting big on UEFA EURO 2024.
🗞️ Key Industry News
Amazon Acquires Copa América Streaming Rights in Japan
The global company has made its first rights move into football in Japan, acquiring exclusive streaming rights to the upcoming South American national teams’ tournament. The move also represents the first time Amazon has picked up rights in Japan to a sports competition not involving Japanese athletes, following previous coverage of boxing and baseball events. Read more on SportBusiness (English)
💡 Our Take: Global football interest in Japan continues to grow as fans use online broadcasters to build affinity with teams, although most of them are local broadcasters. This move by Amazon highlights a new strategy for the market as it marks the commitment to compete with local broadcasters whilst the popularity of football grows. Although it may be a risk due to the lack of Japanese players in the competition, it sets an opportunity to gather core fans of the top South American players in the world. This strategic move also allows fans who usually follow these players late at night to watch them at a more friendly time as the matches take place during the morning, local time.
House of Basketball Opens in Shanghai
A ceremony took place to celebrate the opening of the first FIBA House of Basketball - China in Shanghai, which will be operated exclusively by Luohe Sports. The FIBA House of Basketball - China, located in the Rucker Park sports complex, is expected to become a prominent basketball landmark and positively influence the country's huge number of existing and future fans of the sport. FIBA China and Luohe Sports will look to establish an increasing number of 'Houses of Basketball' in major cities across the country. Read more on FIBA (English)
💡 Our Take: Creating offline cultural experiences with trusted local partners enables basketball, alongside key stakeholders such as the NBA and FIBA, to gain more fans whilst encouraging the youth to engage in and play the sport. Streaming live games from around the world will always help keep fans engaged; putting physical locations in place will help grow a new generation of fans for the future.
TrueVisions Nets Late EURO 2024 Deal in Thailand
TrueVisions has secured rights in Thailand to all matches from the upcoming 2024 UEFA EUROs, with the pay-TV broadcaster having also shown all matches from the previous edition. Packages that include the 2024 UEFA EUROs rights start from $6.78 per month. Read more on SportBusiness
Zhang Zhilei Gives Boxing a Boost in China
A heavyweight boxing contender from China is a rarity in the sport, but Zhang Zhilei has not only made that a reality, he also hopes to eventually fight for the undisputed title after a stunning victory over former champion Deontay Wilder. Read more on China Daily (English)
OPPO Indonesia Wraps Up #TheLegendsMeetGaruda Campaign
OPPO Indonesia, as an official sponsor of the UEFA Champions League, brought five ex-Indonesian National Team players to London to watch the UCL final to wrap up their #TheLegendsMeetGaruda campaign. PSSI (Indonesia FA), through its chairman, Erick Thohir, even gave a special message in this unique campaign to former national players. Read more at Sky Sports (English)
💡 Our Take: OPPO, as the second-best-selling Android product in Indonesia (after Samsung), continues to strengthen its market position in the country. This campaign also emphasizes their label as "a mobile phone for true football lovers," after last year's success in bringing Kaka to Indonesia. This time, they are starting to go deeper to touch national football fans, through collaboration between Indonesian & global legends. PSSI's involvement in this campaign will also pave the way for OPPO to expand and support Indonesian football.
Anta Teams Up with Genshin for Game Character Sneakers
Fans of the game Genshin Impact descended on Anta’s Sneakerverse in Sanlitun, Beijing for a co-branded pop-up event. The event is to celebrate the release of the hotly anticipated Anta x Genshin collaboration, sneakers inspired by two of the video game’s popular characters, Qiqi and Xiao. Read more on DAO (English)
🤔 Opinion
Why Chinese Companies Are Betting Big on the UEFA EURO 24
Leading Chinese companies are preparing to take advantage of exposure and opportunities as top sponsors and suppliers to the UEFA EURO 2024 Men’s Football Tournament - played by European teams thousands of kilometers away from China. Read more on IMD (English)
Is Luxury Missing Out on China’s Cycling Boom?
Gen Z is continuing China’s historic cycling craze with premium styling inspiration on Xiaohongshu, as Western players bet big on the market. Read more on Jing Daily (English)
Is Nike’s Air Innovation Blueprint a Game-changer?
Nike’s head designer and innovation team were in Shanghai last week to present the Nike On Air showcase, the event’s first stop after debuting in Paris, a nod to Nike’s strategic focus on China. Read more on Jing Daily (English)
🎮 Esports
‘Valorant’ Mobile Could Release This Weekend After China Approval
There is a high expectancy that a mobile version of Riot Games’ hit shooter Valorant could launch as soon as this weekend after the game was approved for release in China just days before Summer Games Fest kicks off. An updated list of Western games that are approved to be launched in China was released earlier in the week, with Valorant: Operation Primal listed as one of the games and categorized as a mobile title. Read more on Forbes (English)
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