China has overtaken the UK in the television programming industry, becoming the second-largest market in the world after the United States, according to IHS Markit. TV programming expenditures in China, including online platforms, hit CNY73 billion (€9.3 billion) in 2017, followed by the UK which spent US$10 billion (€8.7 billion) and led by the US […]
China Literature Limited, the publically listed e-books unit of Tencent holdings, is set to acquire film and TV studio New Classics Media (NCM) for US$2.25 billion. NCM is a renowned TV series, web series and film producer in China with a track record of creating popular content from The First Half of My Life (pictured) to Yu Zui. […]
Chinese online entertainment service, iQIYI, is partnering with DDMC Group subsidiary Super Sports Media to set up a joint venture named Beijing Xin’ai Sport Media Technology. As part of the deal, the Super Sports Media app will change its name to iQIYI Sports and will bring together soccer, tennis and golf coverage from broadcasting agreements […]
Endemol Shine’s Chinese arm has struck a co-development deal with Alibaba Digital Media-onwed video hosting and streaming platform Youku to produce two big-budget non-scripted shows for the Chinese market this year. Endemol Shine will bring its content creation expertise and handle development, pilot and production consultancy, distribution and technology support. Youku will provide audience data […]
BBC Studios, which has officially merged its production and commercial arms today, is looking for production opportunities in China. Executive producer and factual program veteran Matthew Springford will be based in its Beijing offices and work with Chinese broadcasters and digital platforms to co-develop and co-produce original content and new formats across factual genres. This […]
Chinese online video platform, TenCent Video, reached 62.59 million paying subscribers at the end of February, according to company stats. The figure marks a 45.6% growth in paying subscribers in just five months, with the service previously announcing 43 million subscribers at the end of September. Tencent Video said that in the fourth quarter of 2017 […]
BBC Worldwide (BBCWW) has signed a deal with Migu Video, China Mobile’s video platform that will see more than 2200 hours of BBC content from across factual, lifestyle and pre-school genres. The deal with Migu Video marks BBCWW’s first deal with a Chinese telco. Migu was set up in 2014 and claims to have access […]
Satellite operator AsiaSat has promoted Lara Kwok to vice-president of business development and strategy. Kwok, who joined the company in August as director of business development and strategy, takes up her new role following the retirement of Sabrina Cubbon. Kwok will be charged with indentifying new business opportunities for AsiaSat as well as driving strategy […]
Chinese internet search giant Baidu is planning a possible IPO for its video streaming unit iQiyi in the US. iQiyi, sometimes referred to as the ‘Chinese Netflix’, has submitted a filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission for a proposed listing on a US stock exchange. Baidu said the listing would “commence as capital […]
Tencent-backed Chinese live-video service, Kuaishou, is reportedly close to securing US$1 billion in funding in a round that will value the business at around US$18 billion. According to Reuters, the live-video startup – which has been compared to services like Instagram and Periscope – has attracted venture capital from firms including Sequoia Capital China, and […]
