iQIYI, Inc. is a Chinese digital entertainment company whose main service is available on iqiyi.com and through its apps. Classified in the software sector, it sits at the intersection of technology platforms and audiovisual media. It distributes series, films, variety shows and animated programs, while also helping to create original productions. Its business model primarily combines paid subscriptions and advertising revenue.
A platform born in the Baidu ecosystem
Launched in 2010 with backing from Baidu, iQIYI was founded by Gong Yu. It grew during the boom in online video consumption in China, and later on smartphones. Initially focused on making programs available, the company gradually increased its investment in exclusive content and production to set its catalog apart and attract subscribers.
Its Nasdaq listing in 2018 marked an important milestone in this development. The group operates in a competitive market, notably facing Tencent Video and Youku. This rivalry centers on audiovisual rights, talent, original productions and the ability to retain an audience whose attention is also sought by short-video platforms.
Content supported by a software infrastructure
iQIYI’s service combines ad-supported programs with offerings reserved for paying members. Subscriptions provide access to content and viewing options that vary by plan and market. The company also sells advertising space and generates revenue from content distribution and the exploitation of intellectual property.
Software is central to this business. The platform uses compression, video streaming and recommendation technologies to adapt playback to devices, organize its catalog and make programs easier to discover. Usage analysis helps personalize the service and inform business decisions. These tools support editorial activities that remain essential: technology does not replace either rights acquisition or production work.
iQIYI also operates an international offering, aimed particularly at audiences interested in Asian content. This presence involves subtitling, interface adaptation and rights negotiations, with availability potentially differing across territories.
What next?
For iQIYI, the challenge is to reconcile an appealing catalog with financial discipline. Production costs, competition for attention and Chinese regulatory constraints shape its choices. Artificial intelligence offers ways to assist certain stages of content creation, localization and promotion, without guaranteeing success on its own. The company’s trajectory will therefore depend on its ability to turn its technological and editorial investments into lasting subscriptions, while expanding its international markets in a controlled manner.