eNews
Tencent Sports to digitally stream TdF 2018 in China
MUMBAI: Tencent Sports, China’s leading online sports platform, has announced on 4 July that it will digitally stream the exclusive Tour de France (TdF) 2018 live in China. The one year deal signed in 2017 has been renewed for 2018 as well.
TdF 2018 starts on 7 July and concludes on 29 July. Tencent will use its PC and mobile platforms including Tencent Sports, Tencent News, Tencent Videos, Tiantian Kuaibao and Penguin Live Stream to provide live streaming, on-demand highlights and special reports about the event.
Similar to 2018 deal, Tencent Sports had signed a contract with Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO) to exclusively broadcast the 2017 TdF on its platforms in China.
ASO president Jean Etienne Amaury said, “We are delighted to have Tencent Sports as the official digital media partner for 2018 Tour de France and believe they are going to help more Chinese cycling fans have access to the event,” according to ytsports.cn.
Tencent Sports operation general manager Zhao Guochen stated that they will use the strengths of Tencent Sports to help bring attention to the Tour de France in China to new heights.
Tencent said it will upgrade its presentation for this year’s Tour adding features such as expert analysis from former riders.
ASO’s deal with Tencent comes after it extended its television rights contract with Chinese state broadcaster CCTV this week through to 2021.
In India, DSport will broadcast the live action of Tour De France 2018.
eNews
Piyush Thakur steps down as Inshorts’ chief revenue officer
Former vice president and cro says exit marks a new chapter after close to a decade of building revenue and partnerships at Inshorts Group.
NOIDA: Piyush Thakur has stepped away from Inshorts Group after nearly 10 years with the company, marking the end of a long tenure that culminated in his role as chief revenue officer.
In a farewell note, Thakur said he was “turning a new page” after almost a decade at Inshorts, calling it one of the hardest professional decisions he has made. He added that his exit was not driven by uncertainty about the future, but by reflection on a long association with the company.
Thakur joined Inshorts in October 2016 as vice president and spent around seven years in the role before being elevated to chief revenue officer in April 2024, a position he held until April 2026.
He said his tenure was defined by “thousands of mornings, late nights, product debates and breakthrough moments”, as the company evolved into a large-scale digital news platform used by millions.
In his note, Thakur emphasised that Inshorts’ growth was a collective effort across teams, adding that engineers, designers, sales teams and customer support staff all contributed to building the platform. He said the company’s success was not the result of individuals but of “everyone who stayed, passed through, and left their mark”.
Before Inshorts, Thakur worked across several digital media and business development roles. At ESPN, he served as senior regional manager from October 2015 to October 2016, focusing on growth initiatives, strategic opportunities and video distribution.
At Times Internet, he worked for nearly three years, including as head of business development from April 2015 to September 2015 and chief manager from January 2013 to March 2015. His responsibilities included monetisation of mobile platforms, managing media and developer partnerships, and driving revenue across digital properties such as The Times of India and The Economic Times.
Earlier, he worked at Brandmovers as head of business development from June 2012 to June 2013, handling digital, mobile and social media marketing solutions, client development and strategic consulting. During this period, he also worked on advertising revenue, brand strategy and CRM-based solutions.
At Inshorts, Thakur’s role focused on revenue strategy, mobile and media partnerships, and growth initiatives across platforms. His profile highlights experience in mobile product management, digital business models, partner ecosystems and revenue expansion in high-growth environments.
