Beijing – Chinese online communications, social and entertainment services company Tencent visited the BBC in London on February 18, along with its business partners. The meeting was to celebrate the success of British drama on the Tencent Video platform, and explore future cooperation around the forthcoming World Cup in Brazil. Tencent Video has grown to be one of the top online video platforms in China. Tencent is also dedicated to bringing audiences the best 2014 FIFA World Cup experience by integrating both PC and mobile devices.
At the British Drama Channel launch event in June 2013, Tencent Video announced an agreement with six UK-based production houses including BBC Worldwide. Based on its resources and capabilities as a powerful online media company in China, Tencent Video launched integrated promotions of a wide range of British drama programmes. Since the launch, these integrated online and social campaigns have led to more than 200 million impressions in total.
According to a survey conducted by Chinese internet research firm Eguan, 27.7 percent of Chinese Internet users have watched British dramas via Tencent Video. Of the top ten most popular British series within that audience, seven are hosted on Tencent Video.
In addition to the success of British drama, Tencent will integrate services across mobile devices and PCs to provide important information about the World Cup, to bring Chinese netizens the best World Cup experience. Platforms for this will include WeChat, mobile QQ, Tencent News app, Tencent Video app and Match Watch app as well as the qq.com portal.
According to SY Lau, president of Tencent Online Media Group and senior executive vice president of Tencent, “The popularity of smart phones and the growing availability of 4G networks will push the video industry in China further towards mobile. In 2014, Tencent Video’s business strategy will take a three-pronged approach, including mobile, premium content and original programme development. Tencent Video will further its input in the mobile field in order to capitalise on our ability to integrate content resources, technologies and products.”
Joyce Yeung, EVP and general manager of BBC Asia, said, “China’s digital media is developing at an amazing speed, and playing an increasingly important role globally. The BBC expects to enjoy greater cooperation with Tencent to tap into its success in British drama, its huge user base and its well-built multi-platform assets.”
In a closing statement, Lau commented that as China’s biggest media platform, “Tencent is always striving to introduce the finest premium content. We have introduced a variety of American TV series, and plan to introduce more British drama this year. We are fully committed to cooperating with our partners, both domestically and internationally, to achieve ongoing success in digital media development, whether we’re talking about high-quality content or global events like the Brazil 2014 World Cup.”
