Online Video Sites Bilibili, AcFun Remove Foreign Film and TV Show Content
Tencent Tech, 7/12/17
Online video sites Bilibili and AcFun have reportedly removed numerous foreign TV shows and movies from their platforms, according to reports from video site users. All or nearly all of the works that were taken down reportedly lacked domestic Chinese copyrights. Online users said that additional content continues to be removed from the platform.
Bilibili, operated by Hode Information Technology, has reportedly removed foreign TV shows and movies, including Japanese, Korean, American, and English TV series. Tencent Tech contacted Bilibili regarding the matter, but the company declined to comment.
AcFun, operated by Danmu Network Technology, has completely removed its film and TV show section (i.e. both foreign and domestic content).
On June 22, China's State Administration of Press and Publication, Radio, Film and Television (SAPPRFT) requested that Weibo (Nasdaq: WB), AcFun, and Phoenix New Media (ifeng) (NYSE: FENG) suspend their audio-visual programming services because they do not possess the necessary "license to broadcast audio-visual programming over an information network."
However, according to materials provided by Bilibili, the company does possess this license.
Editor's Note: For more information on this topic, please see "China Orders Weibo, iFeng, and AcFun to Stop Streaming Political Videos," MD 6/22/17 issue.
Keywords: regulation Internet license online video Hode Information Technology Bilibili Danmu AcFun.com