Wolves announce groundbreaking Chinese TV deal
Wolves have announced a groundbreaking deal that will see 10 of their matches screened on pay-per-view television in China.
The club's first ever overseas TV rights deal has been signed with major Chinese broadcaster Letv Sports, which already shows Championship matches in China.
The deal starts immediately and includes tomorrow's derby game away at Aston Villa, as well as the Blackburn Rovers (away) and Derby County (home) matches in the coming weeks.
Wolves have also launched a Weibo page - the Chinese equivalent to Twitter - which they hope will give them exposure to the lucrative Chinese market.
As part of the package, Wolves will also have a dedicated page on Letv Sports's platform with game highlights and other club information.
Managing director Laurie Dalrymple has previously called the deal 'ground-breaking'. It was first spoken about during a Wolves Fans' Parliament meeting last month.
Dalrymple said today: "We're delighted to complete the formalities with Letv Sports on this TV rights deal.
"It marks an important first step in the club's long-term strategy of building the Wolves brand in China.
"Millions of Chinese citizens will be introduced to Wolves for the first time, and through the assistance of colleagues from Fosun we're in a great position to capitalise on this interest through the creation of the club's first Weibo page.
"The outline details of this TV deal were first shared by Jeff Shi at our last Fans' Parliament, along with early plans for Wolves to potentially be involved in a pre-season tournament in China."
The club also has ambitions to launch a summer tournament in China and potentially invite opposition teams from France and Portugal.
Fosun supremo Shi said recently he wants Wolves to become a 'world class' club and over time perhaps even rival the likes of Manchester United.
Cardiff's home matches have been broadcast in Malaysia as part of a similar recent deal.
