Huge audiences across China will be able to watch live action on Chinese national TV networks from the Longines Global Champions Tour of Shanghai this weekend.
CCTV5 and CCTV5+, free-to-air channels reaching over 360 million people will be broadcasting over five hours of live coverage and highlights from the important 4th stage of the world’s premier show jumping championship series. The Tour is making its pit stop in China for the second year running after winning a landmark agreement to allow international sport horses to compete on the mainland.
CCTV, which includes CCTV5 and CCTV5+, reaches almost 1.3 billion homes across China and the media partnership will bring the sport of show jumping to a dynamic new audience in a country that is one of the world’s top economic superpowers.
Shanghai Great Sports TV network, which has an audience reach of around 16.6 million will also be live every day of the event broadcasting over 12 hours of coverage to Chinese viewers.
Jan Tops, President of the Longines Global Champions Tour which is now in its 10th anniversary year, said: “It is good that China is welcoming top international sport like the Longines Global Champions Tour and we are pleased with this partnership which also brings a significant new TV audience to the sport of show jumping.”
Eurosport International will be broadcasting the Longines Global Champions Tour of Shanghai Grand Prix live on Saturday starting with the second round. BeIN Sports will be broadcasting live action from the Shanghai event.
There will be live coverage on CCTV5+ at 1500 (local time) on Friday 8th May of the big 1.50m 5* competition with jump off featuring the top riders and horses in the world at the impressive arena next to the iconic red China Pavilion.
On Saturday 9th May CCTV5+ will broadcast live the Longines Global Champions Tour of Shanghai Grand Prix 2nd round and jump off from 1645 local time, which will be a significant milestone in the series ranking so far this season.
On Sunday the main 1.50m/1.55m 5* competition of the day will also be shown on CCTV5+ at 1605 local time. CCTV5 will be broadcasting highlights of the big competitions in Shanghai.
CCTV is the predominant state television broadcaster in China and its sports channels CCTV5 and CCTV5+ are avidly watched for all kinds of international sports, including equestrian, which is increasingly popular in the country. An additional 600 million viewers are reached via its foreign language channels.
From 17 to 20 September the Longines Global Champions Tour is coming to Vienna again! Tickets for the VIENNA MASTERS are already available on the eventwebsite.
Click here for the full broadcast schedule.
Source: Press release LGCT
