China’s humanoid fighting championship reaches global audience on YouTube

Mech Combat Arena Competition took place in Hangzhou City earlier

China Media Group (CMG) has broadcast what it claims to be the world’s first humanoid robot fighting competition, with viewers outside of China able to watch on YouTube.

Dubbed the Mech Combat Arena Competition, it took place in Hangzhou City earlier this week, showcasing robots performing martial arts moves learned from motion-captured fighters.

Celebrated as a tech milestone and available on the CMG-owned China Global Television Network (CGTN) YouTube channel, it comes as China has been projected to produce over 10,000 humanoid robots in 2025.

It took place as part of CMG’s broader World Robot Competition Series, which also includes robot football and robot basketball.

The Hangzhou showdown followed April’s historic humanoid robot half-marathon in Beijing, where the Tiangong Ultra robot completed 21km in under three hours.

It comes as broadcasters and streamers worldwide increasingly target sports rights to draw in audiences with live events.

Last year, YouTube’s UK film and TV partnerships lead Neil Price predicted significant online audience growth for sports that have been previously overlooked by traditional broadcasters.

Earlier this year, live rights to niche sports were said to be key to the continued growth of free, ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) channels. 

Elsewhere in Asia this week, Extreme H, the world’s first hydrogen-powered off-road racing series, and Sony Pictures Networks India this week announced a landmark television and digital broadcast partnership.

An extension of the existing agreement between the two, Extreme H said it marks a significant step in expanding the reach of hydrogen motorsport innovation across the Indian subcontinent.

Under the partnership, Sony will cover the live race programme and highlights in English. The deal will bring the action of the FIA Extreme H World Cup to millions of viewers across India and neighbouring regions.

The FIA Extreme H World Cup will see world-class drivers and teams race in hydrogen-powered vehicles across some of the planet’s most extreme locations.

The series builds on the legacy of Extreme E, using sport as a platform to raise awareness around the role of hydrogen in accelerating the shift to net zero.

Rajesh Kaul, chief revenue officer, distribution and international business and head of sports business at Sony Pictures Networks India, said: “We are excited to partner with Extreme H, a series that not only delivers thrilling racing action but also carries a powerful message of sustainability and innovation.”