China TV audience's most loved sport star is Yao Ming. Their most loved sport is soccer and most loved soccer team is Real Madrid.

Shanghai TV Festival and CVSC-Sofres Media released China TV Sports Market Report 2004-2005 on June 8, which surveyed TV audience's tastes of sports in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. Yao Ming, Beckham and Ronaldo are the most welcome sport stars. However the watching preference of the three big cities has obvious regional sport characteristics.

Among Beijing TV audience the most loved five sport stars are Yao Ming, Beckham, Deng Yaping, Ronaldo and Jordan in descending order. The five most loved sport stars among Shanghai TV audience are Yao Ming, Beckham, Deng Yaping, Fan Zhiyi and Ronaldo. Whilst Beckham, Ronaldo, Yao Ming, Fu Mingxia and Jordan are the top most loved sport stars among Guangdong TV audience.

Regarding soccer teams Beijing TV audience elected Real Madrid, Beijing Hyundai, AC Milan, Manchester United and Dalian Shide as the top five. Shanghai TV audience elected Shanghai Shenhua, Real Madrid, Shanghai Zhongyuan, Manchester United and Dalian Shide. Whilst Real Madrid, Manchester United, Arsenal, AC Milan and Brazil were elected by Guangdong audience.

Soccer is the most loved sport among the three cities' audiences. Pingpang and badminton take the second and third places. They are followed by basketball and swimming.

Badminton is the most watched as well as the most played sport among audiences in the three cities. When asked about the "often participated sport" the audiences in the three cities listed badminton in the second place. Walking was listed in the first place and cycling, swimming and jogging took the third, fourth and fifth places.

(People's Daily  June 10, 2004)