PSG trip to Nice brought forward to capture Asian TV market

The PSG match against Nice is being billed as Neymar v Balotelli. Photo: Etienne Laurent/EPA

The PSG match against Nice is being billed as Neymar v Balotelli. Photo: Etienne Laurent/EPA

Published Feb 12, 2018

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PARIS – Paris Saint-Germain's trip to Nice in March is set to kick-off at lunchtime to satisfy Asian television demands, the French league (LFP) said on Monday.

The match is being billed as a clash between PSG's Neymar, the world's most expensive player, and controversial Italian striker Mario Balotelli of Nice.

“Thanks to this exceptional (kick-off) time, the match will be broadcast notably during prime time in south-east Asia,” said the LFP.

The Asian market, where the English Premier League is hugely popular, is an important target for the LFP, which opened an office in Beijing a year ago.

A previous plan to broadcast a lunchtime match in December was shelved, though.

Spain's Clasico between Real Madrid and Barcelona was played at lunchtime on December 23 in order to capture a wider Asian audience, with La Liga president Javier Tebas declaring the move a success.

AFP

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