Mi TV, the Internet television division of one of China's largest smartphone makers Xiaomi, has announced its plans to broadcast the 2016 UEFA European Championship (UEFA Euro 2016) via the brand's Internet portals.

The move is part of an agreement between Mi TV and Future TV Co. Ltd., a subsidiary of China Network Television (CNTV) which is the online division of the national public broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV).

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The agreement will make all of the 51 matches of the UEFA Euro 2016 available through the Mi TV over-the-top (OTT) Internet portals including on the brand's set-top box. Chinese audiences, including Mi TV's 15 million subscribers, will be able to watch the entire matches live and replay them on demand, according to Chinese sports media company Lanxiong Sports.

Chief Content Officer Chen Tong of Xiaomi told Lanxiong Sports, "Although Xiaomi is the first to announce their cooperation on Euro 2016, it may not be the only partner of Future TV. For example, it will not be surprising if Tencent Holdings Ltd is also cooperating with Future TV on Euro 2016, because the company has had stakes in Future TV since several years ago,"

"Euro 2016 is a significant attempt by Xiaomi to broadcast sports competition, and there will be broadcasts of heavyweight matches launched in the following months," Mr. Tong added.

The 2016 UEFA European Championship, which is the 15th Edition of the UEFA Championship soccer tournament, is expected to kick off in France this Friday June 10 and will last up to July 10, 2016. France was selected as the host nation back in 2010 after a bidding process in which the country beat Turkey and Italy.

Tags UEFA Champions League, 2016 UEFA European Championship, UEFA Euro 2016, china, Xiaomi Inc., Mi TV Sports, Soccer Tournament