MUMBAI: Tencent Sports, China’s leading online sports platform, has announced on 4 July that it will digitally stream the exclusive Tour de France (TdF) 2018 live in China. The one year deal signed in 2017 has been renewed for 2018 as well.

TdF 2018 starts on 7 July and concludes on 29 July. Tencent will use its PC and mobile platforms including Tencent Sports, Tencent News, Tencent Videos, Tiantian Kuaibao and Penguin Live Stream to provide live streaming, on-demand highlights and special reports about the event.

Similar to 2018 deal, Tencent Sports had signed a contract with Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO) to exclusively broadcast the 2017 TdF on its platforms in China.

ASO president Jean Etienne Amaury said, “We are delighted to have Tencent Sports as the official digital media partner for 2018 Tour de France and believe they are going to help more Chinese cycling fans have access to the event,” according to ytsports.cn.

Tencent Sports operation general manager Zhao Guochen stated that they will use the strengths of Tencent Sports to help bring attention to the Tour de France in China to new heights.

Tencent said it will upgrade its presentation for this year’s Tour adding features such as expert analysis from former riders.

ASO’s deal with Tencent comes after it extended its television rights contract with Chinese state broadcaster CCTV this week through to 2021.

In India, DSport will broadcast the live action of Tour De France 2018.