Tencent sighs deal with HBO, becomes Exclusive Online Distributor In China
Tencent has reached a deal with HBO, the network behind popular series such as ‘Game of Thrones,’ to distribute the U.S. cable network's shows and movies online in China. That means Tencent (which, along with Alibaba and search giant Baidu, is one of China’s largest and most influential Internet companies) will be the only official provider of HBO content through Tencent video. TV series that will be shown on the online video platform include “Game of Thrones,” “Rome,” “Band of Brothers,” “Boardwalk Empire,” “The Newsroom,” and “True Detective.”
Tencent, a leader in China for social networking and gaming, will be the exclusive online provider in China. Tencent’s competitors include Sohu.com; Youku Tudou, which is backed by the e-commerce titan Alibaba and the smartphone maker Xiaomi; and iQiyi, which is affiliated with the search giant Baidu and also part-owned by Xiaomi.
“This partnership enables us to distribute some of the most groundbreaking programming in the world through our robust technology platform, to the benefit of Chinese Internet users,” Martin Lau, the president of Tencent, said in a statement.
Under the deal, Tencent’s video site becomes the exclusive online platform for HBO shows in China, the companies said in a statement Tuesday. HBO’s movies and series will appear on Tencent’s Hollywood VIP subscription video service, according to a person close to the matter.Tencent Video, a video site available on PCs, tablets and smartphones, competes against Youku Tudou Inc., in which Alibaba holds a 16.5% stake.
However, at the same time, the deal also will test new content rules being promulgated almost weekly by China broadcast regulators, as it comes to grips with the surging popularity of internet video. SAPPRFT has moved to limit foreign content on Chinese video websites, banning several less racy shows including The Big Bang Theory, The Good Wife, NCIS and The Practice.
The regulator has never officially explained its decisions, but the chief executive of one online video hosting website in China said he understood the reason to be the “incorrect values” portrayed in the US TV shows.
(Resource: FT and NYJ)
Tencent, a leader in China for social networking and gaming, will be the exclusive online provider in China. Tencent’s competitors include Sohu.com; Youku Tudou, which is backed by the e-commerce titan Alibaba and the smartphone maker Xiaomi; and iQiyi, which is affiliated with the search giant Baidu and also part-owned by Xiaomi.
“This partnership enables us to distribute some of the most groundbreaking programming in the world through our robust technology platform, to the benefit of Chinese Internet users,” Martin Lau, the president of Tencent, said in a statement.
Under the deal, Tencent’s video site becomes the exclusive online platform for HBO shows in China, the companies said in a statement Tuesday. HBO’s movies and series will appear on Tencent’s Hollywood VIP subscription video service, according to a person close to the matter.Tencent Video, a video site available on PCs, tablets and smartphones, competes against Youku Tudou Inc., in which Alibaba holds a 16.5% stake.
However, at the same time, the deal also will test new content rules being promulgated almost weekly by China broadcast regulators, as it comes to grips with the surging popularity of internet video. SAPPRFT has moved to limit foreign content on Chinese video websites, banning several less racy shows including The Big Bang Theory, The Good Wife, NCIS and The Practice.
The regulator has never officially explained its decisions, but the chief executive of one online video hosting website in China said he understood the reason to be the “incorrect values” portrayed in the US TV shows.
(Resource: FT and NYJ)