25 November 2016 – Beijing, China: The largest sports media property in Asian history, ONE Championship™ (ONE), has just announced a blockbuster media partnership with StarTimes -- a Beijing-based media group dedicated to promoting Chinese culture to Africa. As an influential system integrator, technology provider and network operator in China’s broadcasting industry, StarTimes provides digital television services and various content to sub-Saharan Africa. On 25 November, ONE Championship held a press conference in Beijing to announce the collaboration. In attendance were Director of ONE Championship Media Rights Roland Lam, Alain “The Panther” Ngalani, James “The Falcon” Kouame, as well as Chinese fighters Li Kai Wen and Ma Jia Wen.
Victor Cui, CEO of ONE Championship, stated: “ONE Championship continues to push the boundaries of mixed martial arts (MMA) in Asia by extending our reach to fans of the sport in Africa. There is huge potential for growth in Africa and obviously in China where we have focused our efforts. The growth of the sport of MMA is one of the key factors in helping nations develop their local sporting industries and ONE is proud to lead the charge.”
ONE Championship’s collaboration with StarTimes brings the unique action and excitement of world-class MMA action to fans in Africa. The organization showcases the absolute best in local and international MMA talent, including the top Chinese martial arts stars and positions them globally in various markets. MMA is a key factor in helping the Chinese government develop the sporting industry in the country.
MMA stars like Alain Ngalani, James Kouame, Li Kai Wen and Ma Jia Wen have become globally recognized martial arts athletes after joining ONE Championship. The media expansion into African television is in line with extending the viewership of ONE Championship content all across the globe.
StarTimes Sports Arena provides unique sporting content to millions of viewers in Africa and prides on delivering to audiences a wide-range of sports entertainment options. The rights to air ONE Championship’s live events ensures the company satisfies the needs of African audiences for original MMA content.
Madam Guo Ziqi, Vice President of StarTimes, stated: “As the most influential and fastest-growing digital TV operator in Pan-Africa, StarTimes has been dedicated to bringing exciting sports content and quality service to African audiences. As MMA and combat sports like boxing are gaining popularity in Africa, we built our Sports Arena channel into a channel dedicated to these sports. ONE Championship will be showcased to Africa as flagship content. Unique to ONE as compared to other MMA events, the promotion is closer to home and really connects with local fans. ONE has a substantial number of Asian athletes including Chinese athletes who exhibit skill, honor and humility. StarTimes is able to get a grasp on ONE Championship’s core DNA deeper. African MMA athletes are also excited to have great opportunities to be seen in action by their fans back home. ONE Championship is truly a world-class promotion and one of the biggest internationally. StarTimes is convinced that ONE Championship will attract a huge number of viewers in Africa. It will be a perfect platform to carry forward Chinese martial arts and bring sporting events with Chinese elements to people all over the world.”
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About ONE Championship™
ONE Championship is the largest sports media property in Asian history. Headquartered in Singapore, the world’s most exciting mixed martial arts organization hosts the largest sports entertainment events across Asia featuring the best Asian mixed martial artists and world champions, all signed to exclusive contracts, on the largest media broadcast in Asia. ONE Championship is broadcast to over 1 billion viewers across 118+ countries around the world with some of the largest global broadcasters, including FOX Sports, Setanta, MNC, Astro, Thairath TV, ABS-CBN, TV5, MYTV, HTV, Esporte Interativo and more.
About StarTimes:
As the most influential and fast-growing digital TV operator in Africa, StarTimes provides Pay TV and video service on various platforms including Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT), Satellite Television (DTH) and Mobile App. Right now StarTimes has set up offices in 30 African countries including Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, DR Congo and South Africa and provided digital TV service. The population covered by StarTimes network has reached 900 million and over 8 million subscribers are enjoying the digital TV. StarTimes has built 38 self-produced 7/24 channels with 30 thousand annual fresh content in English, French, Chinese and other local languages like Swahili and Hausa. Among them, there are 5 sports channels showing Bundesliga, Ligue 1, Serie A and UEFA European Qualifiers exclusively in Sub-Saharan Africa.
