SHANGHAI – WWE ushered in a new era in China today, announcing an exclusive multi-year content distribution agreement with PPTV; the return of a WWE Live Event to Shanghai on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016 at 7 p.m. local time; and Bin Wang as the first-ever Chinese talent signed to a developmental contract.
These landmark announcements were made today at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Shanghai by WWE Chief Revenue & Marketing Officer Michelle D. Wilson; WWE Superstar John Cena; WWE Vice President & General Manager of Greater China Jay Li; WWE Executive Vice President, Talent, Live Events & Creative Paul “Triple H” Levesque; Vice President of PPTV, General Manager of PPTV Sports Stephen Zhang; and CEO of Shanghai Expo Development Ltd. Ding Hao.
"Today’s historic announcements further demonstrate WWE’s long-term commitment to China,” said WWE Chairman & CEO Vince McMahon. “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.”
As part of WWE’s commitment to its fans in China, the company announced an exclusive multi-year agreement with PPTV to deliver its flagship shows Raw and SmackDown in Mandarin. Starting Tuesday, June 28, for the first time ever, fans 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.
Fans can download the PPTV App and watch Raw and SmackDown on smart TVs, set-top boxes, mobile devices and tablets, as well as on PPTV.com and Sports.PPTV.com. In addition, WWE short-form content will be available on PPTV’s digital platforms, and PPTV will leverage popular digital and social platforms, including WeChat and Sina Weibo, to share WWE content with fans throughout China.
PPTV will also launch and manage a new WWE website in China. “There’s a long history between PPTV Sports and WWE in programming distribution. Now, with the new exclusive partnership, these joint efforts will bring the passion and family-friendly fun of WWE programing to millions of fans here in China, just like in the U.S.,” said Stephen Zhang, General Manager of PPTV Sports.
It was also announced today that WWE will return to China with its first Live Event in more than three years with WWE Live 2016 China on Saturday, Sept. 10, at 7 p.m. local time at the Mercedes-Benz Arena.
Tickets for WWE Live 2016 China go on sale this Saturday, June 18, at 12 p.m. local time, and can be purchased online at www.gewara.com and www.wesai.com, or by calling the Gewara ticket hotline at 1010 1068. WWE Superstars scheduled to appear include current WWE World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns, current WWE Women’s Champion Charlotte, and WWE Superstars John Cena, Seth Rollins and Sasha Banks.
“WWE’s China debut rocked Shanghai Expo in 2010, and now we are excited that deafening cheers from WWE fans will be heard again in 2016, at the Mercedes-Benz Arena,” said Ding Hao, CEO of Expo Group. In addition to publicizing its television deal with PPTV and the WWE Live Event in Shanghai, WWE completed today’s trifecta of announcements with the signing of Bin Wang to a developmental contract.
At 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds, the 22-year-old from Anhui is the first Chinese athlete afforded the opportunity to train to become a WWE Superstar. Wang will relocate to Orlando, Florida on Sunday, June 19, and begin his training at the WWE Performance Center.
*Talent announced is subject to change.
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