China – China Central Television (CCTV), the exclusive broadcaster of the 2010 FIFA World Cup on the mainland, has blown the final whistle for bids on advertising slots for the international sporting event. He Haiming, vice-director of CCTV’s advertising department, told China Daily that the final batch of advertising slots, including the exclusive titling rights for some special programs and slots for individual matches, will be made available to bidders in mid-April. In November 2009, CCTV began auctioning off prime-time advertising slots for the 2010 World Cup, which will kick off in South Africa on June 11. According to Luo Ming, vice-director of CCTV, this is the ninth and most complex CCTV broadcast of the FIFA World Cup. Coverage will include 74 journalists following 64 matches aired on five channels, including one high-definition channel. CCTV will provide comprehensive coverage integrating all media resources including China Network Television (CNTV.cn), China’s first national internet TV launched in late 2009.