• Loading stock data...
Saturday, September 13, 2025
Tuned In is Almost Sold Out! Limited Tickets Remain!

MLB, Tencent Agree to New Broadcasting Deal

  • MLB and Tencent agreed to a broadcasting deal that will bring baseball games to China and surrounding markets.
  • MLB is playing the long game in approaching the Chinese market.
mookie_betts_swinging
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports/Design: Alex Brooks

Major League Baseball is still trying to bring the success it’s had in Japan and Korea over to China.

MLB will continue to broadcast in China through media giant Tencent, which has shown MLB games since 2018. The two sides agreed to a three-year deal that will also bring MLB games to Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia.

The agreement gives Tencent rights to broadcast games four days a week and includes spring training, the All-Star game, and the playoffs. MLB also struck a deal to bring the 2021-2023 seasons to cable TV in China through Oriental Pearl New Media. 

Tencent saw 26% revenue growth in the fourth quarter of 2020, up to $20.5 billion, and has invested heavily in gaming. The conglomerate — which briefly dropped NBA coverage in 2019 when then-Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey made comments supporting Hong Kong protestors — also has deals with the NFL, NBA, and NHL.

MLB sponsors three development centers in China, allowing several players to sign contracts with MLB teams, though there are still no Chinese players on any active rosters.

The league has attempted to build a pipeline of baseball talent in China by working with colleges and universities in the country. Tencent will broadcast youth baseball leagues as part of the deal.

Overall, the investment in China has shown limited yields so far, but for a country of 1.4 billion people, MLB is willing to play the long game.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Cubs, Yankees, NFL Honor Charlie Kirk

The Green Bay moment was planned by the league.
Sep 8, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto (22) runs to first base during the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park.

The $339 Million Mets Are in Jeopardy of Missing the Playoffs

The Mets’ wild-card lead is 1.5 games with 15 remaining in the regular season.

Dexter Fowler Wants to Change the Narrative on Athlete Ownership

The former MLB All-Star owns a stake in Premier League team Bournemouth.
Sep 6, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; General view of a Fox Sports camera station before the game between the Delaware Fightin Blue Hens against the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field.

Lachlan Murdoch on Fox’s Sports Strategy, FanDuel Plans

The executive calls a forthcoming streaming bundle with ESPN “essential” for fans.

Featured Today

Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl Rematch Could Set More NFL Ratings Records

Fox will nationally televise Sunday afternoon’s matchup.
September 10, 2025

ESPN’s ‘MNF’ Ratings Up 8% As NFL Surges to Strong Start

ESPN posts its second-best Week 1 “Monday Night Football” audience.
Sep 7, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills fans react during the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at Highmark Stadium.
September 9, 2025

As Bills Ascend, Their Next Frontier Lies in Canada

Buffalo and the powerful Canadian entity MLSE come together in a new pact.
opinion
September 9, 2025

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly from NFL’s Week 1 Broadcasts

Many viewers decried the addition of ads to “NFL RedZone.”
Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Arvell Reese (8) pursues Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) during the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium on Aug. 30, 2025.

College Football Enters Week 3 Up 21% in TV Ratings

Total college football viewership across all networks is up big.
September 4, 2025

TNT Sports to Try Its Own Streaming App After WBD Split

TNT Sports will have its own app as a corporate split approaches.
September 5, 2025

NFL’s Expected Early-Season Ratings Boost Gets Off to a Stormy Start

The kickoff game somewhat resembles the delays last year in an SNF game.
Sponsored

How World Series Champ Dexter Fowler Became a Premier League Team Owner

Dexter Fowler discusses navigating retirement and embracing new roles as an owner & investor.
Eagles
September 4, 2025

The Death of Streameast Has Been Greatly Exaggerated

Mirror sites began popping up Thursday, the day the NFL season begins.
September 4, 2025

3 ABC Games Top 10M Viewers Each in ESPN’s Record CFB Weekend

Miami–Notre Dame led the way with 10.8 million viewers.
September 4, 2025

Bill Belichick’s UNC Debut Draws More Than 6M Viewers on ESPN

TCU-UNC was the fifth-most-watched college football game of Week 1.
September 3, 2025

Ohio State–Texas Showdown Was Most-Watched Week 1 CFB Game Ever

Fox drew 16.62 million viewers on Saturday afternoon.