PPTV plans to invest RMB 5bn in Drama and Sports content

Chinese online video operator PPTV has announced at a Shanghai press conference yesterday that it plans to invest RMB 5 billion in expanding its content portfolio to embrace self-produced dramas and sports.

The Shanghai-based company has recently had a capital injection of US $2.5 billion from Suning. Jian Xianheng, PPTV’s vice president, stated that the 5bn will be used to offer 25 popular Internet dramas, 150 US and Korean dramas, 400 new movies online, more than 20 entertainment shows and unique sports content to its 400 million users.

“PPTV has unique advantages in the booming Internet video market, like a whole ecosystem covering content, TV, handsets and channels,” said Lily Zou, co-president of iResearch.

Apart from the investment plan, the company also announced that it has appointed Zhang Xun, a former sports TV host from the Shanghai Media Group, as vice president of PPTV and general manager of PPTV Sports.

The appointment came hot on the heels of Dong Le’s statement of resignation as deputy general manager of PPTV Sports last weekend when Mr Le announced that he planned to start his own sports business. 

Source: Shanghai Daily & Sina

Proofread by John Devlin