Tencent are already the social media partner of the Chinese Olympic Committee ©Tencent

Chinese internet provider Tencent has signed a $15 million (£11 million/€13 million) sub-licensing deal with the state broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV) to acquire rights to the Olympic Games here.

Tencent’s rights cover the Chinese mainland. 

The internet company will provide coverage of all 17 days of the event across its various online platforms.

Tencent is also a partner of the Chinese Olympic Committee and plans to use that relationship to add content to its deal. 

During Rio 2016 they plan to invite more than 40 Chinese sports stars to share their views and opinions of what is happening via a series of live broadcast platforms. 

China has sent a team of 412 athletes to Rio 2016 and they will be hoping to regain their place at the top of the overall medals table.

They finished second behind the United States at London 2012 with a total of 88 medals, including 38 gold. 

China finished second in the overall medals table at London 2012 but are hoping to finish top at Rio 2016 ©Getty Images
China finished second in the overall medals table at London 2012 but are hoping to finish top at Rio 2016 ©Getty Images

CCTV extended its long-term partnership with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in July 2012 in a deal that included broadcasting Rio 2016. 

CCTV signed another deal  in December 2014 to screen the next four Games after Rio 2016 in a deal believed to be worth some $550 million (£350 million/€450,000).

This deal is the latest example of a major broadcaster linking with a social media network to share and help promote its coverage of Rio 2016.

American television network NBC has already done deals with Facebook and Instagram to provide exclusive content for users in the United States.

It has also signed a deal with Snapchat to provide content.