Chinese state TV acts after Mbappé row; Migu 'cuts' Real Madrid

Chinese state TV CCTV continues to block La Liga broadcasts after Mbappé's comments about a Mao Zedong meme, though streaming platform Migu maintains coverage.

Chinese state broadcaster CCTV suspended La Liga coverage on Monday following Kylian Mbappé's remarks about a meme featuring his face superimposed on a "Chinese dictator" — widely understood to reference Mao Zedong. The controversy escalated when multiple Chinese companies terminated commercial agreements with La Liga and Mbappé.

As of this weekend, CCTV has not resumed transmissions of any La Liga matches, with no games scheduled in its official programming for Friday, Saturday or the upcoming week. Streaming platform Migu, La Liga's exclusive digital partner in China through 2029–30, has maintained most of its weekend schedule, though notably absent are Real Madrid fixtures — the club has not appeared in Migu's listings since before the controversy began.

Mbappé apologised in French, Chinese and English. La Liga president Javier Tebas sent a letter to China Media Group (which oversees CCTV), and Real Madrid added its own apology expressing respect for China. However, CCTV has not indicated whether these steps are sufficient or when broadcasts will resume.