China Media Group donates 500m yuan in advertising to Hubei

China Media Group on Monday donated advertising time worth 500 million yuan ($70.6 million) to novel coronavirus-ravaged Hubei province in Central China, in an attempt to promote local products and services.

The move came after the outbreak disrupted logistics chains, damping sales of farm produce and left many farmers in financial difficulty.

The media conglomerate said the first eight free TV ads are expected to be broadcast on several of its most-watched channels.

A total of 35 such ads on Hubei farm produce, manufactured goods, and cultural and tourism services would be shown on several channels till end of the year, the company said.

China Media Group said it has donated cash, supplies and advertising services worth 3.1 billion yuan to the province since Feb 20.

It also launched a live-streaming sales event featuring the media group's celebrity hosts, which helped sell 400 million yuan in goods. An online job fair the company organized offered 100,000 jobs to college graduates from Hubei.

Hubei's Party Chief Ying Yong said the company's donation has given Hubei a helping hand at a difficult time, and is crucial to promote the sales of local farm products, stabilize supply chains and complete the building of a moderately prosperous society before the year ends.