PORT ADELAIDE'S Round 9 meeting with the Gold Coast Suns in Shanghai has the potential to be the most watched game in AFL history after the announcement of a broadcast agreement which will see games shown on three different Chinese television stations throughout the season.
The AFL has confirmed 23 games will be shown on Guangzhou TV, Shanghai TV and Shandong TV throughout the year.
The Port Adelaide Football Club will feature in 11 matches of the 23 home and away season matches to air on Guangzhou TV, which includes seven of the Power’s home games at Adelaide Oval.
If Port Adelaide reaches the 2018 Toyota AFL Finals Series, all of its matches will be broadcast live into China.
The game against the Gold Coast at Adelaide Arena at Jiangwan Stadium in Shanghai could reach a cumulative audience of 160 million people.
Under the AFL broadcast agreement, every week of the season, Guangzhou TV will broadcast one Toyota AFL Premiership Season match, a weekly highlights show and a preview show on free-to-air television.
With a reach of 40 million, Guangzhou TV will also broadcast the 2018 Toyota AFL Finals Series and the 2018 Toyota AFL Grand Final.
Port Adelaide Football Club CEO Keith Thomas expressed his excitement for the latest development in securing broaden television coverage into mainland China.
“It’s very exciting for Port Adelaide and the AFL to have games broadcast again on Guangzhou TV in 2018,” Mr Thomas said.
“To have our club broadcast on commercial television into China is a massive plus for our brand and for the exposure of our corporate partners such as OAK PLUS, particularly around our home games at Adelaide Oval.
“We believe that to grow the game in China, the AFL has to be front and centre and be seen on commercial television consistently each weekend.
“We appreciate the support from both the AFL and Guangzhou TV in helping us deliver weekly television content to mainland China,” he said.
Guangzhou TV, Shandong TV and Shanghai TV will broadcast AFL matches and shows in
AFL General Manager of Clubs and Broadcasting Travis Auld said today’s announcement was pleasing given the AFL’s commitment in the People’s Republic of China.
“We’re in the privileged position to be able to host a
“Following our inaugural match in Shanghai last year, interest in our game in China is increasing which is reflected with Guangzhou TV making a commitment to broadcast at least one game a week on top of a weekly highlights show. I’d like to thank Guangzhou TV, Shanghai TV and Shandong TV for their support in showcasing our exciting game to so many in mainland China.”
The Round 9 Toyota AFL Premiership Match in Shanghai between the Gold Coast SUNS and Port Adelaide Football Club will also be available through Australian television broadcast partner Fox Footy, Australian radio partners and on the AFL Live App thanks to Telstra.
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