Leading Spanish news agency EFE reports that according to the calculations of Beijing TV an incredible 60 million Chinese tuned into Sunday’s ‘live’ game between Real Madrid and Osasuna at the Santiago Bernabéu.

The game kicked off at midday in the Spanish capital, meaning it was watched at peak viewing time of 7pm in China, and the figures will come as music to the ears of La Liga BBVA bosses who have introduced the earlier kick-off time to maximise the exposure of Spanish football in Asia.

It’s an encouragement sight for la Liga BBVA which is trying to sell La liga to Asian markets. They are certainly open for more la liga games, but the RFEF will have to work the schedule in other to offer earlier games.

Despite national television sports channel CCTV5 choosing not to broadcast the encounter it was shown on free-to-air television in the country’s capital, a move which went down well with the Chinese themselves and the numerous bars in central Beijing. Most were crowded with sports fans wanting a glimpse of stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo, who did not disappoint with a hat-trick in Real’s thrashing of José Luis Mendilibar’s team.

Li Wangjin, a 40-year-old football fan, was one of those present in an Irish bar in the city centre: “I am a fan of Manchester United and Barcelona,” he admitted, “but I also like to watch Real Madrid. I hope this kick-off time can be repeated so I can see my team (Barcelona) against them,” whilst also commenting that Chinese football could maybe reach the level of the Spanish league ‘in 100 or 200 years.’

The initiative of La Liga in making inroads into the Chinese market has led to the opening of an office in Beijing in order to promote the competition, but a spokesperson recognised that it was still going to ‘take a great effort.’

Another 100M followed the game online on an official website that shows league games and CL games.

Source: adifferentleague.co.uk

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