The storm of radio and television rectification is coming. The current situation of the Internet TV market

Since June this year, the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television has started to take measures frequently to step up the rectification of the Internet TV industry. From issuing a letter to immediately close the illegal video software download channels in Internet TV terminal products to interviewing the heads of the seven major Internet TV licensees, its determination to implement the No. 181 document, which has been issued for nearly three years, is becoming increasingly firm. In response, we have reviewed the current status of major Internet TV companies.

LeTV: Unfortunately, I was selected

LeTV has developed rapidly in the field of Internet TV. From 4K smart TV to TV boxes, LeTV has always adhered to the principle of genuine copyright in terms of terminal content. Although it has become a "key target" for the rectification of radio and television, LeTV, which has completed the rectification and obtained the license, will surely become the leader in the field of Internet TV with its own massive video content and excellent smart TV equipment.

Xiaomi: Content platform is a shortcoming

Internet TV can be said to be an indispensable part of Xiaomi's ecosystem, but the Xiaomi box has been plagued by content issues since its launch. It was first banned for not having a license, and then criticized by users for various piracy issues and content quality. Later, it acquired a stake in Xunlei to make up for the lack of content and technology. This "first TV for young people" still cannot satisfy users' pursuit of smart TV content.

Alibaba: New products are still not available

It is not surprising that Alibaba, which has already bought half of the Internet, has also entered the field of Internet TV. However, Tmall Magic Box, which also lacks content, has not yet been able to support the ability to "start a family digital entertainment ecosystem". Especially in the last round of "closure letters" from the radio and television, Tmall Magic Box became a set-top box criticized by the radio and television because it "carried client software for commercial audio-visual programs such as iQiyi and Sohu Video". At its recent press conference, the much-anticipated Tmall Magic Box 2 also failed to meet with everyone. The outside world speculated that the reason for the postponement of the release may be affected by radio and television policies.

BesTV: Knowingly committing a crime

In the "closure letter" issued by the Radio and Television Administration, BesTV's own "Little Red Internet TV Set-Top Box" was named along with the Tmall Magic Box. It was required to rectify because it carried video apps such as Youku. BesTV is one of the seven major Internet TV licensees besides the Radio and Television Administration, and in theory, it should not have any violations. But it still made such a mistake, which seems to be a bit of "only the officials are allowed to set fires, but the people are not allowed to light lamps." At present, BesTV has responded to the closure letter and said it will actively cooperate with the rectification.

Wasu Media: Pulling Ali into the water

In fact, Alibaba's "Tmall Magic Box" was launched in cooperation with Wasu Media. Wasu, which also holds an Internet TV license, explained that the openness of the intelligent operating system it adopted led to the existence of third-party application clients after being criticized by the radio and television. With such a big backer as Alibaba Group, I believe that Wasu Media will surely develop healthily and powerfully under the guidance of the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television.

Mango TV: The unchanging role of the heroes

Mango TV, which has both the license and the TV box, has taken the exclusive broadcast route by leveraging Hunan TV's own content advantages. With sufficient content support, Mango TV has become increasingly influential among the major licensees. Although exclusive broadcast is a risky move, it is no longer necessary at this time. With the diversification of content production, this advantage will only fade. More importantly, it can avoid some regulatory efforts from radio and television.

Hisense: Having good allies

Skyworth, which has formed an alliance with CNTV's subsidiary Future TV, has not only obtained cooperation with the licensee ICNTV, but also installed CNTV's platform in its smart TV. It can be said that in the rounds of rectification actions of radio and television, the impact is relatively small. At present, Hisense has also signed contracts with 11 mainstream video websites and aggregated their content into a "Ju Haokan" APP. It is doubtful whether it can be launched online.

Konka: A rare established manufacturer

Konka, which claimed to have stopped developing non-smart TVs, sought out BesTV when the first batch of licenses were issued. BesTV's TV boxes have violated regulations, and it is necessary to investigate whether Konka's smart TV content also has problems.

TCL: Staying safe

TCL, which has reached a cooperation agreement with Wasu Media, has legally entered the Internet TV industry and has not yet violated any content regulations. While hardware manufacturers have maintained sufficient hardware advantages, they have also avoided the arrival of this "disaster" due to content shortages.

Changhong: A solid veteran

Changhong, one of the five largest domestic TV manufacturers, has been pursuing breakthroughs in hardware, and has not yet made any breakthroughs in content. Changhong has also chosen to cooperate with Future TV, hoping to promote each other.

Although from a policy perspective, this time there is actually no real new policy, it is just a thorough implementation of the still valid Document No. 181. However, for the current Internet TV market that is accustomed to conventions, it has formed the most stringent supervision, which can be described as a storm, and the market is in danger.

Faced with the most stringent policy supervision and market enforcement in the history of the Internet TV market, the enforcement strength and intensity from the inside out will lead to a disruptive effect in the existing market.

As a winner of Toutiao's Qingyun Plan and Baijiahao's Bai+ Plan, the 2019 Baidu Digital Author of the Year, the Baijiahao's Most Popular Author in the Technology Field, the 2019 Sogou Technology and Culture Author, and the 2021 Baijiahao Quarterly Influential Creator, he has won many awards, including the 2013 Sohu Best Industry Media Person, the 2015 China New Media Entrepreneurship Competition Beijing Third Place, the 2015 Guangmang Experience Award, the 2015 China New Media Entrepreneurship Competition Finals Third Place, and the 2018 Baidu Dynamic Annual Powerful Celebrity.