TV sport 'monopoly' needs reform and fair play

Beijing's former mayor Liu Jingmin has called for reform of broadcasting rights of sports events to promote the development of industry.

Liu, also a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), said the 2008 Beijing Olympics did little to accelerate Beijing's sport industry due to a lack of social investment.

"NBA's revenues mainly come from TV rights, but organizers of sports events in China need to pay for TV broadcasting.”

Lin also suggested breaking up the "monopoly de facto" of the Sports Channel of China Central Television, which is the only one to reach a national audience.

"A second national sports channel should be established or some provincial satellite TV stations should be allowed to broadcast sports events nationally.”

Lin believed the broadcasting rights reform could augment organizers' revenues and finally attract investment for growth.