Why did the Premier League terminate its China broadcast deal?

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The Premier League Terminated its China Broadcast Deal Due to Non-Payment and Disagreements on Rights Value

The Premier League confirmed on Thursday the termination of its broadcasting agreements in China with its licensee, streaming service PPTV. This decision follows PPTV's reported failure to make a £160 million payment due in March for the 2019/20 season, and subsequent disagreements over the value of the broadcast rights.
PPTV's Reported Non-Payment

PPTV had secured a reported US$700 million deal to broadcast all 380 Premier League matches per season from 2019 to 2022. However, the first season of this contract was significantly impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, leading to a three-month shutdown of matches between March and June. It was during this period that PPTV reportedly failed to meet a £160 million payment obligation for the coverage of the 2019/20 season.
Disagreements on Rights Valuation

Following the payment issues, PPTV stated that despite multiple rounds of discussions, disagreements persisted regarding the valuation of the broadcast rights. The streaming service indicated that even after making advance payments exceeding the agreed copyright cycle fee, a mutual agreement could not be reached, leading to the termination of their cooperation with the Premier League.
Broader Context of Broadcast Disruptions

The termination occurs amidst broader financial challenges for the Premier League, which is already facing substantial losses due to the pandemic. The disruption to the 2019/20 season also necessitated rebates for domestic and international broadcasters. The upcoming season was set to commence on September 12 with matches played behind closed doors in empty stadiums.
Evolving Economic and Political Conditions

The ability of the Premier League to secure new broadcast deals in China on similar terms remains uncertain, influenced by challenging economic and political landscapes. Previous seasons have seen tensions, such as Chinese state broadcaster CCTV pulling a match after a player's comments on the Uighur situation, and broader diplomatic strains between Britain and China, including issues surrounding Huawei and Hong Kong.

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Why did the Premier League terminate its China broadcast deal?

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