https://www.scmp.com/rss/501773/feed The latest news, analysis and opinion on iQiyi. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com The number of metaverse-related trademark applications in China has reached 16,000, according to a local media report, as the frenzy over what some consider the next iteration of the internet continues despite government warnings over “market hype”. That figure – reported on Monday by Shanghai-based Thepaper.cn, citing data from the National Intellectual Property Administration – is nearly double the number recorded two months ago, when the country had a total of 8,534 metaverse-related... https://www.scmp.com/tech/policy/article/3167936/chinas-metaverse-frenzy-reaches-new-heights-number-trademark?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/policy/article/3167936/chinas-metaverse-frenzy-reaches-new-heights-number-trademark?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 22 Feb 2022 09:00:16 +0000 China’s censors have deleted multiple scenes and altered reference about a recurring lesbian character in the 1990s US television sitcom Friends, which has sparked outrage among the popular show’s large audience on the mainland. That has practically buried the lesbian identity of recurring character Carol Willick in the first season of Friends, which major Chinese streaming video providers including iQiyi, Tencent Video, Youku and Bilibili started airing online on Friday. The Willick character... https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3166813/chinas-censors-scrub-multiple-scenes-lesbian-character-us-sitcom?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3166813/chinas-censors-scrub-multiple-scenes-lesbian-character-us-sitcom?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 12 Feb 2022 09:48:55 +0000 Major video streaming companies including iQiyi, Tencent Video, Youku and Bilibili will officially broadcast American television sitcom Friends in China, as the platforms compete for eyeballs with short video services. The hit 10-season show, which first aired on NBC between 1994 and 2004, will be released in China this Friday and be rolled out at one season per week, the companies all announced on their official Weibo accounts. They did not disclose any pricing at this stage. The move comes as... https://www.scmp.com/tech/tech-trends/article/3166137/can-hit-1990s-us-sitcom-friends-rescue-chinas-struggling-video?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/tech-trends/article/3166137/can-hit-1990s-us-sitcom-friends-rescue-chinas-struggling-video?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 07 Feb 2022 13:00:20 +0000 With the smash-hit success of Squid Game and a variety of other hits that rang around the world, 2021 will go down as a very special year for Korean drama series. While global streaming platforms were a big part of this, as they poured big budgets into high-concept programmes which previously had not existed in the Korean market, it was truly a great year for Korean small-screen content across the board. Korea-based cable and broadcast channels stepped up to the plate with a variety of... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/k-pop/k-drama/article/3161157/15-best-k-dramas-2021-vincenzo-and-mr-queen-squid-game?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/k-pop/k-drama/article/3161157/15-best-k-dramas-2021-vincenzo-and-mr-queen-squid-game?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 29 Dec 2021 23:15:14 +0000 By Lee Gyu-lee Actors Lee Dong-wook and Wi Ha-joon are set to bring great chemistry to the screen in Bad and Crazy, a crime action series on Korean television network TvN scheduled to premiere on December 17. “We hit it off really well [on the set] as if ‘we are one’,” Lee said. “Our bromance chemistry was undeniable.” Wi, who rose to international fame after starring in Netflix’s smash-hit series Squid Game, also noted that the two showed a real friendship between two men through the... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/k-pop/k-drama/article/3159779/squid-game-star-wi-ha-joon-and-guardians-lee-dong-wook-new?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/k-pop/k-drama/article/3159779/squid-game-star-wi-ha-joon-and-guardians-lee-dong-wook-new?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 17 Dec 2021 01:15:11 +0000 This article contains spoilers. 1/5 stars Early in the final episode of Jirisan, a ghost and a serial killer argue in a cave about whose side Jirisan is on, as if the titular mountain is backing their cause. Much as this writer would love to share the punchline to that set-up, this isn’t a joke. It is a deadly serious exchange that takes place at a crucial moment in the denouement of what was one of the most hotly anticipated Korean dramas of the year. Mountaineering dramas, with their ragged... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/k-pop/k-drama/article/3159592/k-drama-review-jirisan-despite-starring-jun-ji-hyun-and-ju?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/k-pop/k-drama/article/3159592/k-drama-review-jirisan-despite-starring-jun-ji-hyun-and-ju?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 Dec 2021 03:25:12 +0000 A new wave of job cuts is shaking China’s Big Tech firms as 2021 comes to a close, with short video giant Kuaishou, rival ByteDance, and Baidu-owned video-streaming platform iQiyi all said to be trimming their payrolls. While it is common practice for Chinese tech firms to lay off underperformers at year’s end, the job cuts this time appear deeper than usual after a year of harsh regulatory tightening on the sector. Beijing’s Big Tech crackdown takes back seat to economic stability in 2022 Hong... https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3158928/lay-offs-chinas-big-tech-mount-kuaishou-iqiyi-said-be-joining?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3158928/lay-offs-chinas-big-tech-mount-kuaishou-iqiyi-said-be-joining?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 08 Dec 2021 12:00:19 +0000 After a huge year, Korean drama still has a few more tricks up its sleeve for the last month of 2021. December will welcome Disney+’s first K-drama, Korea’s first moon-set drama and a host of thrillers, period dramas and tales of romance. Here are eight to catch: 1. Our Beloved Summer Parasite’s Choi Woo-shik and Kim Da-mi of Itaewon Class are teaming up for a very different kind of story in the romantic comedy Our Beloved Summer. The young stars will play the naive and free-spirited illustrator... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/k-pop/k-drama/article/3157757/8-new-k-dramas-watch-december-2021-blackpinks-jisoo-debuts?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/k-pop/k-drama/article/3157757/8-new-k-dramas-watch-december-2021-blackpinks-jisoo-debuts?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 29 Nov 2021 10:15:15 +0000 This article contains spoilers. The prospect of a gutsy Jun Ji-hyun facing off against the elements in a Cliffhanger-style Korean action-drama made Jirisan the most anticipated show of the year. However ironclad a set-up that might have seemed, this big-budget, star-studded series has had a lukewarm audience response after a big opening weekend. The main problem with Jirisan, which also stars Ju Ji-hoon, and combines the creative forces of Kingdom writer Kim Eun-hee and director Lee Eung-bok... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/k-pop/k-drama/article/3156461/k-drama-midseason-recap-jirisan-jun-ji-hyun-cant-save-messy?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/k-pop/k-drama/article/3156461/k-drama-midseason-recap-jirisan-jun-ji-hyun-cant-save-messy?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 18 Nov 2021 03:35:48 +0000 This article contains spoilers. 4/5 stars Over the past month and a half, Yumi’s Cells has been an engaging romantic comedy putting a fresh spin on commonplace, relatable situations. But while it has featured rather low stakes, even for a romcom, something unexpected happened over its last two weeks. Yumi (Kim Go-eun) and Woong’s (Ahn Bo-hyun) relationship reached a real crisis point and suddenly the romantic threat posed by Bobby Yoo (Got7’s Jin Young) became palpable. Having a charming and... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/k-pop/k-drama/article/3154445/k-drama-review-yumis-cells-relatable-romcom-brings-first?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/k-pop/k-drama/article/3154445/k-drama-review-yumis-cells-relatable-romcom-brings-first?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 01 Nov 2021 11:15:18 +0000 Korean dramas have always had a tendency to be earnest. As the industry has matured, storytellers have injected a tongue-in-cheek sense of fun into shows, which can help temper this tendency. At the start of Jirisan, one of the most anticipated series of the year, we are presented with a very earnest video extolling the virtues of Jirisan, the tallest mountain on the Korean mainland and long a symbol of pride for the country. The video, narrated by a voice that some will immediately recognise,... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/k-pop/k-drama/article/3153316/k-drama-jirisan-jun-ji-hyuns-mountaineering-action-drama?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/k-pop/k-drama/article/3153316/k-drama-jirisan-jun-ji-hyuns-mountaineering-action-drama?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 23 Oct 2021 16:00:23 +0000 This article contains spoilers. The premise of Yumi’s Cells – young, love-starved office worker stumbling through awkward dates and romantic misunderstandings – isn’t original. However, seeing the Inside Out-esque animated world within Yumi’s head has allowed the show to turn stereotypical romcom beats into fresh and fun vignettes. When we first met Yumi (Kim Go-eun), she had been off the dating market for years and suddenly had eyes for colleague Ugi (Choi Min-ho). When that didn’t work out,... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/k-pop/k-drama/article/3153141/k-drama-midseason-recap-yumis-cells-charming-partly?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/k-pop/k-drama/article/3153141/k-drama-midseason-recap-yumis-cells-charming-partly?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 21 Oct 2021 09:15:19 +0000 This article contains spoilers. Guardian: The Lonely and Great God star Kim Go-eun returns to our screens as the titular character of Yumi’s Cells, a colourful and charming adaptation of a webtoon which mixes live action and animation. Its 14-episode season is off to a strong start. A sensationally popular webtoon that spanned 512 episodes spread across five-and-a- half years and garnered over 3 billion views, Yumi’s Cells follows the romantic trials of office worker Yumi (Kim Go-eun). She is in... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/k-pop/k-drama/article/3150852/k-drama-yumis-cells-romantic-comedy-starring-kim-go-eun?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/k-pop/k-drama/article/3150852/k-drama-yumis-cells-romantic-comedy-starring-kim-go-eun?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 01 Oct 2021 09:15:20 +0000 The Chuseok (harvest festival) holiday in South Korea heralded a wealth of new Korean drama shows in September, many of which are still on the air. While the October launch schedule is a little lighter, it comes with plenty of heavy hitters, including the most hotly anticipated programme of the year. Notably, the vast majority of the stars of October’s prime time drama line-up are women, who lead a range of stories, from a revenge drama and crime-comedy to a period gender-swap romance and an... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/k-pop/k-drama/article/3150278/5-new-k-dramas-watch-october-2021-jun-ji-hyun-jirisan-han?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/k-pop/k-drama/article/3150278/5-new-k-dramas-watch-october-2021-jun-ji-hyun-jirisan-han?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 27 Sep 2021 23:15:23 +0000 Many in South Korea will be taking a breather next week for the mid-autumn Chuseok holiday – traditionally a harvest festival – but the K-drama industry knows no rest, and some enticing new series have been announced, many of which will go into production very soon. Global streaming companies continue to focus on the market for Korean dramas. In addition to new Netflix and Disney+ shows, two series will air worldwide on the Chinese video streaming platform iQiyi as iQiyi Originals. Big Mouse Two... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/k-pop/k-drama/article/3149211/lee-jong-suk-yoona-play-husband-and-wife-takashi-miike?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/k-pop/k-drama/article/3149211/lee-jong-suk-yoona-play-husband-and-wife-takashi-miike?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 18 Sep 2021 12:15:10 +0000 This article contains spoilers. 2/5 stars Over its final few weeks My Roommate Is a Gumiho has seen its characters grapple with their fates, but this being a romantic drama, Shin Woo-yeo (Jang Ki-yong) – a nine-tailed fox of Korean folklore that takes on human form – and college student Lee Dam (Lee Hye-ri) were always destined to become a couple. The fantasy elements in the show may have aligned to tear Woo-yeo and Dam apart but, no matter the apparent internal narrative destiny, the fact that... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/k-pop/k-drama/article/3141448/k-drama-review-my-roommate-gumiho-fantasy-romance-sees?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/k-pop/k-drama/article/3141448/k-drama-review-my-roommate-gumiho-fantasy-romance-sees?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 17 Jul 2021 02:45:11 +0000 This article contains spoilers. No matter what one’s station in life, we all crave freedom in some form or another. In these trying times that have challenged our notions of what it means to be free, this has never been more true. In the Korean drama series My Roommate Is a Gumiho, Lee Dam (Lee Hye-ri) stays in the mansion of Shin Woo-yeo (Jang Ki-yong), a supernatural creature known as a gumiho. For her protection, since she accidentally swallowed a special bead that contains his life force,... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/k-pop/k-drama/article/3138811/k-drama-midseason-recap-my-roommate-gumiho-fantasy-romance?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/k-pop/k-drama/article/3138811/k-drama-midseason-recap-my-roommate-gumiho-fantasy-romance?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 25 Jun 2021 13:30:22 +0000 China’s government has proposed establishing a joint venture with local technology giants that would oversee the lucrative data they collect from hundreds of millions of consumers, according to people familiar with the matter. The preliminary plan, which is being led by the People’s Bank of China, would mark a significant escalation in regulators’ attempts to tighten their grip over the country’s internet sector. It envisions the creation of a government-backed entity along with some of China’s... https://www.scmp.com/tech/policy/article/3126861/china-mulls-new-state-backed-company-oversee-tech-data?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/policy/article/3126861/china-mulls-new-state-backed-company-oversee-tech-data?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 25 Mar 2021 02:03:36 +0000 Once known primarily for its anime offerings, Chinese streaming platform Bilibili might seem like an odd place for an exclusive interview with the head of the world’s most valuable technology company. But Apple CEO Tim Cook’s interview with 22-year-old tech influencer He Shijie shows just how far the platform has come. When He first started uploading videos to the platform in the summer of 2017, it was still largely known for catering to a niche community interested in the anime, comics and... https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3126470/pivoting-away-anime-bilibili-has-grown-its-users-attracting-investors?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3126470/pivoting-away-anime-bilibili-has-grown-its-users-attracting-investors?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 22 Mar 2021 17:00:17 +0000 A Beijing court on Tuesday ruled against Netflix-style service iQiyi for levying more fees on a subscriber to watch a popular Chinese drama series, setting back the streaming video provider’s efforts to generate more revenue from its premium content. iQiyi, which is controlled by online search giant Baidu, was ordered by the Beijing Internet Court to pay plaintiff Wu Shengwei, a paying subscriber, 1,500 yuan (US$210) as compensation to cover his notary fees for the lawsuit, which was filed in... https://www.scmp.com/tech/chinas-netflix-ordered-pay-vip-subscriber-us210-after-charging-advanced-viewings/article/3087441?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/chinas-netflix-ordered-pay-vip-subscriber-us210-after-charging-advanced-viewings/article/3087441?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 03 Jun 2020 21:00:24 +0000 This article originally appeared on ABACUS For nearly three months now, cinephiles in China haven’t been able to see any new blockbusters as the film industry ground to a halt because of the Covid-19 pandemic. So some cinephiles were excited to learn that this year’s Beijing International Film Festival would let them stream new award-winning films from the comfort of their own homes. When it came time to watch, though, many viewers found the experience underwhelming. And some big hits like... https://www.scmp.com/abacus/culture/article/3083414/cinephiles-complain-about-smartphone-only-viewing-online-film?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/abacus/culture/article/3083414/cinephiles-complain-about-smartphone-only-viewing-online-film?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 07 May 2020 21:00:13 +0000 For nearly three months now, cinephiles in China haven’t been able to see any new blockbusters as the film industry ground to a halt because of the Covid-19 pandemic. So some cinephiles were excited to learn that this year’s Beijing International Film Festival would let them stream new award-winning films from the comfort of their own homes. When it came time to watch, though, many viewers found the experience underwhelming. And some big hits like Marriage Story could only be streamed from... https://www.scmp.com/culture/cinephiles-complain-about-smartphone-only-viewing-online-film-festival-china/article/3083122?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/culture/cinephiles-complain-about-smartphone-only-viewing-online-film-festival-china/article/3083122?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 07 May 2020 21:00:10 +0000 This article originally appeared on ABACUS With cinemas still closed across China, the country’s cinephiles sadly won’t be able to get their fix at the theater this Labor Day weekend. But at least the Beijing International Film Festival is offering a curated selection of movies to stream online. From May 1 to May 5, 32 movies will be offered for streaming through Baidu’s iQiyi streaming service. The selection includes not just Chinese films, but also international ones like Judy and Bombshell.... https://www.scmp.com/abacus/news-bites/article/3082324/film-festival-teams-streaming-site-put-movies-online?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/abacus/news-bites/article/3082324/film-festival-teams-streaming-site-put-movies-online?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 30 Apr 2020 08:19:05 +0000 With cinemas still closed across China, the country’s cinephiles sadly won’t be able to get their fix at the theater this Labor Day weekend. But at least the Beijing International Film Festival is offering a curated selection of movies to stream online. From May 1 to May 5, 32 movies will be offered for streaming through Baidu’s iQiyi streaming service. The selection includes not just Chinese films, but also international ones like Judy and Bombshell. Most of them will be available to iQiyi... https://www.scmp.com/china-tech-city/film-festival-teams-streaming-site-put-movies-online/article/3082290?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/china-tech-city/film-festival-teams-streaming-site-put-movies-online/article/3082290?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 30 Apr 2020 08:19:03 +0000 The days of Chinese manga and anime fans enjoying free online content have largely come to an end as publishers explore ways to monetize their Chinese fan base. Japanese manga giant Shueisha has asked its Chinese partners – Tencent, Bilibili and iQiyi – to put six blockbuster franchises, including One Piece and Yu-Gi-Oh!, behind paywalls starting next month, according to social media posts by the three Chinese companies.   According to a 2018 report by consultancy firm iResearch, revenue... https://www.scmp.com/culture/manga-companies-want-chinese-fans-start-paying/article/3082094?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/culture/manga-companies-want-chinese-fans-start-paying/article/3082094?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 29 Apr 2020 07:46:26 +0000 This article originally appeared on ABACUS When a man from a small town in ancient China witnessed his father being captured by a band of hooligans, he decided it was finally time to live out a life-long dream: Join a secret society that practices a form of mythical martial arts known as Qimen Dunjia. Once in the society, the man avenged his father and destroyed a monster seeking to end the secret organisation. Sound like a movie you would watch? It certainly is for millions of Chinese... https://www.scmp.com/abacus/culture/article/3081144/smaller-chinese-movies-see-boom-online-during-pandemic?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/abacus/culture/article/3081144/smaller-chinese-movies-see-boom-online-during-pandemic?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 22 Apr 2020 21:00:18 +0000 When a man from a small town in ancient China witnessed his father being captured by a band of hooligans, he decided it was finally time to live out a life-long dream: Join a secret society that practices a form of mythical martial arts known as Qimen Dunjia. Once in the society, the man avenged his father and destroyed a monster seeking to end the secret organization. Sound like a movie you would watch? It certainly is for millions of Chinese viewers. Although the plot might sound cliche, Qimen... https://www.scmp.com/culture/smaller-chinese-movies-see-boom-online-during-pandemic/article/3081089?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/culture/smaller-chinese-movies-see-boom-online-during-pandemic/article/3081089?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 22 Apr 2020 21:00:15 +0000 This article originally appeared on ABACUS Anyone who awoke in China on Saturday hoping to relax on their day off by playing a few rounds of games like Honor of Kings or Game for Peace would have been disappointed. All of the country's biggest games were shut down for the day. Why PUBG Mobile became Game for Peace in China That’s because April 4 was Ching Ming Festival, or Tomb-Sweeping Day. During this traditional Chinese festival, families typically honor their ancestors by visiting grave... https://www.scmp.com/abacus/culture/article/3078670/games-and-live-streaming-suspended-china-day-mourning?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/abacus/culture/article/3078670/games-and-live-streaming-suspended-china-day-mourning?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 06 Apr 2020 12:58:56 +0000 Anyone who awoke in China on Saturday hoping to relax on their day off by playing a few rounds of games like Honor of Kings or Game for Peace would have been disappointed. All of the country's biggest games were shut down for the day.   That’s because April 4 was Ching Ming Festival, or Tomb-Sweeping Day. During this traditional Chinese festival, families typically honor their ancestors by visiting grave sites. But this year in mainland China, it was also turned into a day of mourning for people... https://www.scmp.com/culture/games-and-live-streaming-suspended-china-day-mourning/article/3078570?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/culture/games-and-live-streaming-suspended-china-day-mourning/article/3078570?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 06 Apr 2020 12:58:54 +0000 This article originally appeared on ABACUS Video site iQiyi is one of China’s largest Netflix-style platforms, offering a large streaming library of movies and TV shows. But with a new app called Suike, it’s becoming a little more like YouTube. The Suike app offers movies and shows already available on iQiyi, but it also highlights user-produced short videos. The Baidu-owned streaming company said it already has more than 3 million content creators. While Youku and Bilibili have both been... https://www.scmp.com/abacus/news-bites/article/3078296/chinas-netflix-wants-become-chinas-youtube-too?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/abacus/news-bites/article/3078296/chinas-netflix-wants-become-chinas-youtube-too?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 03 Apr 2020 08:05:26 +0000 Video site iQiyi is one of China’s largest Netflix-style platforms, offering a large streaming library of movies and TV shows. But with a new app called Suike, it’s becoming a little more like YouTube. The Suike app offers movies and shows already available on iQiyi, but it also highlights user-produced short videos. The Baidu-owned streaming company said it already has more than 3 million content creators. While Youku and Bilibili have both been referred to as “China’s YouTube,” iQiyi CEO Gong... https://www.scmp.com/china-tech-city/chinas-netflix-wants-become-chinas-youtube-too/article/3078268?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/china-tech-city/chinas-netflix-wants-become-chinas-youtube-too/article/3078268?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 03 Apr 2020 08:05:24 +0000 This article originally appeared on ABACUS TikTok is best known for short videos of lip-syncing teens and silly stunts. But it’s been trying to expand its offerings, which now include full-length feature films. TikTok, the viral short video sensation, has its roots in China TikTok owner ByteDance is letting Chinese users stream dozens of films in the local version of the popular video app, known as Douyin. Among the films being offered are international titles like the Academy Award-winning The... https://www.scmp.com/abacus/culture/article/3077820/chinas-tiktok-turning-movie-streaming-platform?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/abacus/culture/article/3077820/chinas-tiktok-turning-movie-streaming-platform?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 31 Mar 2020 21:00:22 +0000 TikTok is best known for short videos of lip-syncing teens and silly stunts. But it’s been trying to expand its offerings, which now include full-length feature films.   TikTok owner ByteDance is letting Chinese users stream dozens of films in the local version of the popular video app, known as Douyin. Among the films being offered are international titles like the Academy Award-winning The Last Emperor, acclaimed Cannes Film Festival darling Farewell My Concubine and the not-so-acclaimed 2016... https://www.scmp.com/culture/chinas-tiktok-turning-movie-streaming-platform/article/3077750?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/culture/chinas-tiktok-turning-movie-streaming-platform/article/3077750?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 31 Mar 2020 21:00:20 +0000 This article originally appeared on ABACUS People in part of the world’s biggest internet population have been trying to carry on with their daily lives from the confines of their own homes because of the coronavirus outbreak in China. But now they have to contend with a new inconvenience: The occasional server crash. On Sunday night, customers of one of the country’s most popular streaming services found their favorite shows go black all of a sudden. The surprise outage drove many viewers,... https://www.scmp.com/abacus/culture/article/3051025/worlds-biggest-online-population-staying-home-and-chinas-internet?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/abacus/culture/article/3051025/worlds-biggest-online-population-staying-home-and-chinas-internet?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 17 Feb 2020 11:15:36 +0000 People in part of the world’s biggest internet population have been trying to carry on with their daily lives from the confines of their own homes because of the coronavirus outbreak in China. But now they have to contend with a new inconvenience: The occasional server crash. On Sunday night, customers of one of the country’s most popular streaming services found their favorite shows go black all of a sudden. The surprise outage drove many viewers, stuck at home with little else to do, to... https://www.scmp.com/culture/worlds-biggest-online-population-staying-home-and-chinas-internet-cant-cope/article/3050947?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/culture/worlds-biggest-online-population-staying-home-and-chinas-internet-cant-cope/article/3050947?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 17 Feb 2020 11:15:35 +0000 This article originally appeared on ABACUS The outbreak of the deadly coronavirus in China has left millions stranded at home, wreaked havoc on many industries, and could impact China’s economy for a long time. For those stuck at home and trying to avoid infection, it’s also changed how people use technology. Tech companies have been forced to get creative in how they provide their services. Those that previously relied on physical gatherings, such as gyms, are now trying out virtual... https://www.scmp.com/abacus/tech/article/3048806/five-ways-coronavirus-changing-how-china-uses-tech?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/abacus/tech/article/3048806/five-ways-coronavirus-changing-how-china-uses-tech?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 03 Feb 2020 21:00:13 +0000 The outbreak of the deadly coronavirus in China has left millions stranded at home, wreaked havoc on many industries, and could impact China’s economy for a long time. For those stuck at home and trying to avoid infection, it’s also changed how people use technology. Tech companies have been forced to get creative in how they provide their services. Those that previously relied on physical gatherings, such as gyms, are now trying out virtual offerings. Here are some of the biggest changes in... https://www.scmp.com/tech/five-ways-coronavirus-changing-how-china-uses-tech/article/3048713?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/five-ways-coronavirus-changing-how-china-uses-tech/article/3048713?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 03 Feb 2020 21:00:11 +0000 This article originally appeared on ABACUS When House of Cards premiered in 2013, it was the first time Netflix had dropped an entire season of an original show online at once. Binge-watching was born. Since then, TV has been transformed. And not just in the way we consume it, but also in the way it’s made. It’s not just happening on Netflix, Hulu and Disney+, either. China has been witnessing its own flavor of streaming-induced changes to entertainment, and some of those changes are spreading... https://www.scmp.com/abacus/culture/article/3046456/short-video-apps-tiktok-are-changing-entertainment-china?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/abacus/culture/article/3046456/short-video-apps-tiktok-are-changing-entertainment-china?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 16 Jan 2020 15:16:39 +0000 When House of Cards premiered in 2013, it was the first time Netflix dropped an entire season of an original show online at once. Binge-watching was born. Since then, TV has been transformed. And not just in the way we consume it, but also in the way it’s made. It’s not just happening on Netflix, Hulu and Disney+, either. China has been witnessing its own flavor of streaming-induced changes to entertainment, and some of those changes are spreading beyond its borders. One of the more intriguing... https://www.scmp.com/culture/short-video-apps-tiktok-are-changing-entertainment-china/article/3046387?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/culture/short-video-apps-tiktok-are-changing-entertainment-china/article/3046387?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 16 Jan 2020 15:16:38 +0000 This article originally appeared on ABACUS How would you feel if Netflix allowed anyone to pay an extra fee to see a show’s upcoming episodes ahead of schedule? That’s the latest money-making idea from China’s largest video platforms. Tencent Video and Baidu’s iQiyi, two of China’s biggest video streaming platforms, decided to allow users to pay an extra fee on top of their subscription to get advanced access to episodes of Qing Yu Nian (Joy of Life), a popular fantasy drama released late last... https://www.scmp.com/abacus/tech/article/3042901/netflix-and-hulu-china-want-users-pay-watch-episodes-early?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/abacus/tech/article/3042901/netflix-and-hulu-china-want-users-pay-watch-episodes-early?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 20 Dec 2019 02:00:10 +0000 How would you feel if Netflix allowed anyone to pay an extra fee to see a show’s upcoming episodes ahead of schedule? That’s the latest money-making idea from China’s largest video platforms. Tencent Video and Baidu’s iQiyi, two of China’s biggest video streaming platforms, decided to allow users to pay an extra fee on top of their subscription to get advanced access to episodes of Qing Yu Nian (Joy of Life), a popular fantasy drama released late last month.   Monthly subscriptions for Tencent... https://www.scmp.com/tech/netflix-and-hulu-china-want-users-pay-watch-episodes-early/article/3042759?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/netflix-and-hulu-china-want-users-pay-watch-episodes-early/article/3042759?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 20 Dec 2019 02:00:08 +0000 This article originally appeared on ABACUS Just 10 years ago, few people were watching online videos in the palm of their hands. But now, at the end of the decade, mobile video apps are an indispensable part of modern life for many. And some of the biggest such apps of the decade came from China.  An App Annie report ranking some of the world’s biggest apps over the last 10 years by downloads and consumer spending shows some obvious and not-so-obvious contenders from China. Here are China’s... https://www.scmp.com/abacus/tech/article/3042515/chinas-tiktok-kwai-and-tencent-video-are-among-biggest-apps-decade?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/abacus/tech/article/3042515/chinas-tiktok-kwai-and-tencent-video-are-among-biggest-apps-decade?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 17 Dec 2019 14:57:58 +0000 Just 10 years ago, few people were watching online videos in the palm of their hands. But now, at the end of the decade, mobile apps are an indispensable part of modern life for many. And some of the biggest apps of the decade came from China.  An App Annie report ranking some of the world’s biggest apps over the last 10 years by downloads and consumer spending shows some obvious and not-so-obvious contenders from China. Here are China’s biggest winners. TikTok TikTok, made by Beijing-based... https://www.scmp.com/tech/chinas-tiktok-kwai-and-tencent-video-are-among-biggest-apps-decade/article/3042425?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/chinas-tiktok-kwai-and-tencent-video-are-among-biggest-apps-decade/article/3042425?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 17 Dec 2019 14:57:56 +0000 Chinese video streaming company iQiyi hopes to have as many as half its subscribers in overseas markets in five years despite Sino-US trade tensions and increased government censorship at home, founder and chief executive Gong Yu told Reuters in an interview. The company, China’s answer to Netflix, has its sights set on Southeast Asia, where it is signing marketing deals with local partners. It also working to sell white-label versions of its streaming platform around the world, Gong said in a... https://www.scmp.com/tech/baidu-streaming-site-iqiyi-hopes-have-half-its-users-overseas/article/3040756?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/baidu-streaming-site-iqiyi-hopes-have-half-its-users-overseas/article/3040756?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 05 Dec 2019 10:36:55 +0000 This article originally appeared on ABACUS Last year was tough for China’s entertainment industry, with professionals calling 2018 “a cold winter.” The winter didn’t end in 2019, and some people are blaming video streaming platforms. This year alone, 1,884 film and television production companies shut down, according to a report by China’s state-run Securities Daily based on data by Tianyancha, an enterprise information and data provider. The newspaper singles out China’s three dominant... https://www.scmp.com/abacus/tech/article/3040279/are-video-streaming-platforms-killing-film-studios-china?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/abacus/tech/article/3040279/are-video-streaming-platforms-killing-film-studios-china?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 02 Dec 2019 14:17:53 +0000 Last year was tough for China’s entertainment industry, with professionals calling 2018 “a cold winter.” The winter didn’t end in 2019, and some people are blaming video streaming platforms. This year alone, 1,884 film and television production companies shut down, according to a report by China’s state-run Securities Daily based on data by Tianyancha, an enterprise information and data provider. The newspaper singles out China’s three dominant streaming platforms as one reason production... https://www.scmp.com/tech/are-video-streaming-platforms-killing-film-studios-china/article/3039897?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/are-video-streaming-platforms-killing-film-studios-china/article/3039897?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 02 Dec 2019 14:17:51 +0000 This article originally appeared on ABACUS Disney's new streaming platform, Disney+, is finally live. But as much as the world’s largest country loves Disney, it might be waiting a long time for the streaming service. Disney+ has only launched in the US for now, but it has global ambitions. It’s spreading to other countries over the next couple years, but China’s tight content regulations make it almost impossible to operate as a foreign media company in the country. The problem is certainly not... https://www.scmp.com/abacus/culture/article/3037613/disney-wont-be-streaming-china-any-time-soon?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/abacus/culture/article/3037613/disney-wont-be-streaming-china-any-time-soon?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 13 Nov 2019 15:30:44 +0000 Disney's new streaming platform, Disney+, is finally live. But as much as the world’s largest country loves Disney, it might be waiting a long time for the streaming service. Disney+ has only launched in the US, Canada and the Netherlands for now, but it has global ambitions. It’s spreading to other countries over the next couple years, but China’s tight content regulations make it almost impossible to operate as a foreign media company in the country. The problem is certainly not that people... https://www.scmp.com/culture/disney-wont-be-streaming-china-any-time-soon/article/3037550?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/culture/disney-wont-be-streaming-china-any-time-soon/article/3037550?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 13 Nov 2019 15:30:42 +0000 This article originally appeared on ABACUS It’s possible that one day no one will know how many people have liked your Instagram posts. Starting this week, Instagram will start hiding likes for some users in the US, following similar tests in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Ireland, Japan and New Zealand. CEO Adam Mosseri said the idea is to “depressurize Instagram, making it less of a competition.” WATCH: Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri announces that the platform will start hiding likes for US audiences... https://www.scmp.com/abacus/culture/article/3037473/instagram-tests-hiding-likes-chinas-social-media-services-fight?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/abacus/culture/article/3037473/instagram-tests-hiding-likes-chinas-social-media-services-fight?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 13 Nov 2019 02:00:08 +0000 It’s possible that one day no one will know how many people have liked your Instagram posts. Starting this week, Instagram will start hiding likes for some users in the US, following similar tests in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Ireland, Japan and New Zealand. CEO Adam Mosseri said the idea is to “depressurize Instagram, making it less of a competition.” WATCH: Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri announces that the platform will start hiding likes for US audiences starting next week. It's the latest step... https://www.scmp.com/culture/instagram-tests-hiding-likes-chinas-social-media-services-fight-similar-battle/article/3037346?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/culture/instagram-tests-hiding-likes-chinas-social-media-services-fight-similar-battle/article/3037346?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 13 Nov 2019 02:00:06 +0000