During the recent FIFA World Cup in Qatar, Chinese short video platform Douyin provided full-time and 4K ultra-high-definition free livestreaming content. On December 20, the platform released a report, showing that the cumulative number of livestreaming viewers of the World Cup reached 10.6 billion.
To cap off the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, Argentina defeated reigning champion France 7-5 (4-2 on penalties) to win the coveted title for the first time in 36 years. Nearly as excited as Argentinian fans were many Chinese sponsors, including NetEase Media, a subsidiary of Chinese internet company NetEase, and others.
Ads for South Korean automotive giant Kia have appeared frequently on the sidelines at the ongoing FIFA World Cup in Qatar, bringing the brand back into the spotlight in China. However, its joint venture in the country is now grappling with a financial crisis.
During the ongoing FIFA World Cup in Qatar, Abdulrahman Fahad al-Thani, a member of the country's ruling family, has become a hit among Chinese fans. On November 27, he officially set up an account on TikTok's sister app for mainland China, Douyin.
Football fans in China previously watched the World Cup only through traditional television channels like CCTV or online video streaming platforms such as Youku, but during this year's edition, ByteDance's Douyin became the first short video platform in the country to obtain live broadcasting rights for the competition.
Around fifteen years ago, I had a bet with a friend: "which event will happen first, China‘s first goal in the World Cup, or a Chinese racing driver's first points-paying position in Formula One." The mystery was resolved on March 20.
While Word Cup qualifications games will resume in October, it is uncertain that whether Team China can qualify 18 years later, especially under the pressure caused by COVID-19.
After losing to Nigeria 86-73 in the last FIBA World Cup game, China lost the lone Asian Olympic qualifying spot available in the World Cup. Yao Ming, the most successful Chinese basketball legend and current Chinese Basketball Association chairman, frowned and cried.
