Watermelon Video to Invest RMB 4 Bln to Create Self-developed Variety Show Platform
DoNews, 8/02/18
Beijing-based Bytedance Technology, operator of short video platform Xigua Shipin ("Watermelon Video"), has announced plans to invest RMB 4 bln over the next year to develop its own variety show platform. The platforms' first program is set to be a collaboration with Tianjin-based online variety show producer Yinhe Kuyu Cultural Communications called Touhao Renwu (literally "Top Task") and will be an interactive variety show hosted by the popular Hunan Satellite TV host Wang Han. The company also stated that in the future Watermelon Video will cooperate with additional TV stations and content production companies.
CEO of Watermelon Video, Li Wei, explained that viewers will be able to directly participate in the variety show by posting short videos from their mobile devices to the platform, and that 30% of the show's content is planned to be based on such content submitted by platform users. The show will also be shot using simultaneous horizontal and vertical orientations in order to be readily formatted for both TV and mobile video. The program is currently in its R&D stage and further details on its specific form and content have not been disclosed.
Editor's Note: Wang Han has become a major national celebrity through his hosting of the ultra-popular "Day Day Up" show.
Keywords: TV content production Li Wei wireless mobile video content production Bytedance Wang Han Xigua Shipin Yinhe Kuyu television mobile short video