Table Tennis England is partnering with China Media Group (CMG) – the world’s largest media conglomerate – to create opportunities to increase participation and engagement in the sport.

Table Tennis England CEO Sally Lockyer signed a Memorandum of Understanding with CMG in Beijing during last week’s official Government visit.

Sally was one of the delegates travelling with UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to China and Japan on a visit which aims to build business, sporting and cultural ties between the nations.

CMG’s network is comprised of 51 television channels, 22 radio frequencies, three news websites, and multiple mobile applications, delivering content globally in 85 languages to over 680 million overseas users. Among them, 11 international television channels have achieved global satellite signal coverage, reaching households in 208 countries. In 2024, its coverage of the Paris Olympics garnered nearly 77 billion views and reads on CMG’s proprietary platforms. CMG is also a rights holder for the World Championships and produces extensive sports programming, including via its dedicated sports channel.

The MOU will see both organisations working together to explore areas of bilateral co-operation, which could include:

Driving participation – publicity and marketing around Table Tennis England events to CMG’s domestic and international audiences, increasing engagement while raising the sport’s profile simultaneously

Sponsorships and partnerships – collaboration on event activations and marketing initiatives designed to showcase the sport in the UK

Cultural exchange – training opportunities and professional exchanges between players and table tennis professionals in China and the UK

Industry engagement – supporting communication and co-operation between table tennis stakeholders in the UK and China CMG is keen to strengthen links between the Chinese and UK table tennis communities.

Seeing strong potential for collaboration with Table Tennis England, both around the World Championships and in supporting the long-term development of the sport in both countries.