Tencent restores some NBA games after China controversy

There may be a bit of a truce forming between the NBA and some aspects of the China controversy.

Chinese technology company Tencent, the NBA’s exclusive digital partner in the country, quietly returned a pair of preseason games to streaming status. They did, however, leave most other games — including those of the Houston Rockets — blocked off.

Tencent quietly puts two pre-season games from play-by-play back to video-streaming status.
Houston Rockets still "behind the bars". pic.twitter.com/LhEQEVrRVe

— Yu Fu (@YuFuTroy) October 13, 2019

It doesn’t look like a total thaw in relations, but it’s something after suspending broadcasting earlier in the preseason. There may still be high demand for NBA content in China despite the controversy, and that could factor into the decision.

It doesn’t completely solve the NBA’s issues with the Chinese government. It also wouldn’t do anything to fix the controversy they face at home and accusations of stifling free speech.

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