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One of the largest streaming companies in the world has banned live coverage of Australian superstar Ben Simmons’ NBA team.
WASHINGTON, DC – Nov.. DECEMBER: Ben Simmons # 25 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts against the Washington Wizards during the first half at Capital One Arena on Dec.. December 2019 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: The user expressly acknowledges and agrees that by downloading and / or using this photo, the user is agreeing to the terms of the Getty Images license agreement. Patrick Smith / Getty Images / AFP == ONLY FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TV == Source: AFP
Chinese streaming giant Tencent has stopped broadcasting Ben Simmons’ Philadelphia 76s games live to protest its new president, Daryl Morey, who sparked an argument last year by showing his support for protesters in Hong Kong expressed.
Tencent is only offering text updates for Sixers games, as well as games involving the Houston Rockets, Morey’s former employer. It also refused to show Rockets games from last season.
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The state broadcaster CCTV, which owns China’s exclusive TV rights for the NBA, has been broadcasting since the start of the season on Jan.. December no more games broadcast.
Tencent’s refusal to stream Sixers and Rockets games, and ongoing CCTV blackout, prolong the year-long hiatus in the NBA’s largest international market, which cost hundreds of millions of dollars.
Morey, then General Manager of the Rockets, tweeted « Fight for Freedom, stand with Hong Kong » in October 2019, referring to the protests for democracy, which Beijing describes as separatist and seditious.
When the NBA endorsed Morey’s right to freedom of expression, CCTV responded by broadcasting despite making a « goodwill » gesture by broadcasting Game 5 from the NBA Finals series in October.
Tencent has continued streaming games, but for the Sixers’ season opening win over the Washington Wizards on Jan.. December only text updates were available.
Two more Sixers games over the weekend – against the New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers – also had text updates.
Rockets games remain just text this season, although Yao Ming’s former team is hugely popular in China.
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However, he said he was « very pleased with what I did » despite not expecting the outrage he would face from China.
Regardless, the NBA punished Morey with a fine of 65. $ 000 for tampering on Monday for a tweet praising Rockets star James Harden, who has announced he will accept a deal for the 76ers.
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Houston Rockets, James Harden, Daryl Morey, Philadelphia 76ers, NBA
World News – AU – China applies ban on Simmons team
Ref: https://www.news.com.au
