WWE signed an exclusive multi-year content distribution agreement with China’s PPTV n Wednesday, TheWrap has learned.
Starting 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 TV’s, set-top boxes, mobile devices and tablets, as well as on PPTV’s website.
WWE short-form content will be available on PPTV’s digital platforms and PPTV will use 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.
In addition, Bin Wang (pictured above with Paul “Triple H” Levesque) has officially become the first-ever Chinese talent signed to a developmental contract. At 6-foot-3, 220 pounds, the 22-year-old from Anhui has been training for the past two years in Japan at Inoki Genome Federation (IGF), a wrestling and MMA promotion founded by WWE Hall of Famer Antonio Inoki.
Wang will relocate to Orlando, Florida, where he will begin training out of the state-of-the-art WWE Performance Center.
“Today’s historic announcements further demonstrate WWE’s long-term commitment to China,” WWE chairman and CEO Vince McMahon said. “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 return to China with its first live event in more than three years with WWE Live 2016 China on September 10. 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.