China’s iQIYI and Super Sports Media partner on sports app

Chinese online entertainment service, iQIYI, is partnering with DDMC Group subsidiary Super Sports Media to set up a joint venture named Beijing Xin’ai Sport Media Technology.

As part of the deal, the Super Sports Media app will change its name to iQIYI Sports and will bring together soccer, tennis and golf coverage from broadcasting agreements made by both iQIYI’s sports platform and Super Sports Media.

The new version of the app will include: English Premier League, EFL Cup and UEFA Nations League football; Australian Open, ATP Tour and WTA Tour tennis; as well as exclusive golf coverage.

Existing members of both Super Sports Media and the tennis-focused membership program on iQIYI will receive full membership of the new app.

“iQIYI is a clear leader in the Chinese online video market, having established a strong brand name and won the favour of countless viewers through their extremely popular original variety shows and online dramas,” said Yu Lingxiao, president of Super Sports Media and CEO of the Super Sports Media-iQIYI joint venture.

“Combining premium sports content from both companies along with Super Sports Media’s years of experience in online sports coverage and iQIYI’s user base numbering in the hundreds of millions, I am confident our new partnership will provide users with best in sports content and a greatly improved viewing experience.”

iQIYI’s chief content officer, Wang Xiaohui, said: “China’s sports industry has entered into a period of rapid development and has great potential for development.

“Super Sports Media is a strategic partner with high-quality licensed content and professional operation experience. I believe we can work together to create a super online sports platform through high-quality licensed content, event operations, advertising and membership services. This cooperation also lays a good foundation for continued investment in sports content.”