Wrestling entertainment group WWE has signed an exclusive multi-year content distribution agreement with streaming video firm PPTV in China. WWE also signed up its first Chinese player Wang Bin.
“Today’s historic announcements further demonstrate WWE’s long-term commitment to China,” said WWE Chairman & CEO Vince McMahon, at an event in Shanghai on Thursday. “Partnerships with PPTV and Expo Group, as well as the signing of Bin Wang, will enable us to engage our fans in China like never before.”
WWE will deliver its flagship shows “Raw” and “SmackDown” in Mandarin. Viewers in China will be able to stream all three hours of “Raw” and two hours of “SmackDown” on demand exclusively on PPTV and PPTV Sports.
WWE will put on its first live event in China in more than three years on Sept. 10 at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Shanghai.
Wang is signed to a developmental contract, giving him the opportunity to train to become the first-ever Chinese Superstar in WWE history. Weighing 220 pounds, and measuring 6 foot 3 inches (1.91 metres) the 22-year-old from Anhui Province will relocate to Orlando, Florida.
Earlier this week it emerged that PPTV had paid a record sum for the online rights to hit movie “Warcraft.” After nearly eight days on release the film has grossed $182 million (RMB1.18 billion.)
