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Revealed: Premier League’s China dispute dates back to February

Owen

PA Images | Despite the termination of the contract with Premier League English football is still extremly popular in China. Pictured is former Liverpool and Newcastle striker Michael Owen, middle, signing for fans at a press conference of Legend Footballer Challenge in Changsha city, central China's Hunan province, 15 November 2019.

Chinese broadcast group Suning sought to renegotiate now-cancelled EPL broadcast contract as early as February.

Source says that the broadcaster paid 100 yuan for content “to get 1 yuan back.” He believes it is obvious that the business model doesn’t work at all in China.

Chinese felt hard done by after other broadcasters given rebates.

“We are currently witnessing a turning point of the ever-growing media right spending in the Chinese market,” an expert says.

11 September 2020 - 11:30 AM

By James Corbett, Senior Correspondent

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