Tencent Takes Serious Shot at Video 腾讯重拳出击视频业务

By newsdoug on April 15, 2011

Anyone who doubted that Chinese Internet giant Tencent (HKEx: 700) was serious about video sharing should think again. In the latest of a string of reports on the company’s intentions in that space, Chinese media are reporting the company best known for its QQ instant messaging service has earmarked Tencent takes a shot at video 500 million yuan, or nearly $100 million, to develop content for its own video sharing service (English article; Chinese article) This news comes not long after Tencent formed a video alliance with several other firms who agreed that content obtained by any member would be shared by all. (previous post) Add to that Tencent’s own investment in another video sharing firm, Xunlei, and I think you begin to see the picture: Tencent is serious about this business. Given its previous strong track record at developing new businesses, I’d say that smaller rivals like Youku (NYSE: YOKU) and Tudou, as well as other newcomers like Shanda (Nasdaq: SNDA) should take note that a major new rival is taking shape. Who knows, maybe one day they could even challenge the likes of global giant Youtube.

Bottom line: Tencent’s commitment to video stands a good chance of success, boding well for its own bottom line but poorly for domestic rivals like Tudou and Youku.

任何质疑腾讯<0700.HK>对视频分享业务重视程度的人都应重新思考一下了。近期有一系列关於腾讯有意进军该领域的报导。中国媒体最新报导称，腾讯已拨出5亿元人民币专款，用於发展其视频分享服务。此前不久，腾讯与多家视频网站结成一个视频版权联盟，其中的所有成员均可互享视频内容。再加上腾讯直接投资於视频分享网站迅雷，我想你们已开始看到：腾讯非常重视视频业务。鉴於腾讯以往开发新业务的战绩，我想说，优酷网、土豆网等规模较小的竞争对手以及盛大等新手都应重视这个正在成形的强大竞争者。谁知道呢，或许有一天，腾讯甚至能挑战Youtube等全球视频巨头。

一句话：腾讯进军视频业，成功机率很大，对自身发展是个良机，但对土豆网和优酷网等国内竞争对手可能是个坏消息。