Online variety shows gaining increasing popularity
Internet magnets of China gathered to discuss the new opportunities and challenges for domestic online variety shows at the ongoing 2018 Shanghai International Film and TV Festival.
Online variety shows are gaining increasing attention from investors and advertisers theses days.
According to Song Binghua, an official with Youku, a few homegrown online variety series now have a budget exceeding 300 million yuan (US$46.6 million). In the near feature, more mega-productions of online variety will emerge in China.
Insiders noted that in terms of diversity, interactivity and more freedom for creation, online variety shows have a bigger chance to innovate compared with TV programs. New technologies in big data analysis and artificial intelligence are also incorporated into the shows’ production.
Lu Wei, director of the hit online variety series “Street Dance of China,” said that they usually made adjustments to the shows based on the instant feedbacks and comments from online viewers.
A complete industrial chain for online variety series is now taking shape, covering almost all parts of the cultural and entertainment consumption. Spin-offs in music, literature, game and animation will also be further developed.