Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief Macau casino operator, Sands China entered into a strategic partnership with Chinese streaming company Tencent Video and Chinese cinema ticketing firm Maoyan Entertainment. The three parties will team up to host large-scale offline events, content creation of lifestyle and entertainment programs and online marketing and promotion. Operating The Venetian Macao, The Parisian Macao and The Londoner Macao casino resorts, Sands runs several large entertainment facilities in Macau, including the 15,000-seat Cotai Arena, the 1,800-seat Venetian Theatre, the 6,000-seat The Londoner Arena, the 1,200-seat The Parisian Theatre, and the 1,700-seat Londoner Theatre. The three will co-organize events in Macau including live performances, concerts, films, TV series, variety shows, sports and cultural activities.
Chinese Streamer iQiyi Confirms Swing to Profits With $65 Million Third Quarter
21.11.2023 - 11:40 / variety.com
Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief iQiyi, the NASDAQ-listed Chinese streaming firm, confirmed its recent swing from loss to profitability with a July-September quarter that saw revenue and profits growth even as subscription numbers dipped fractionally.
Net income attributable to iQIYI was RMB476 million ($65.2 million), compared to a net loss of RMB396 million in the same period in 2022, the company said in a filing on Tuesday.
Using the company’s preferred non-GAAP statement of its accounts, net income was RMB622 million ($85.3 million), compared to non-GAAP net profits of RMB187 million in the same period last year.
Total revenues in the period were RMB8.0 billion ($1.1 billion), a 7% year over year increase. Within that figure, subscription revenue was RMB5.0 billion ($687 million), up 19% year over year.
Advertising revenues were also up by 34% to RMB1.7 billion ($230 million). Those two positives were offset by a decline in content licensing revenue.
The average daily number of subscribing members excluding individuals with trial memberships for the quarter was 106.9 million, compared to 100.2 million for the same period in 2022 and 110.7 million for the second quarter in 2023.
That figure compares with 117 million reported last week by Tencent Video, iQiyi’s most comparable competitor.
IQiyi has an international business, operated from Singapore and at its strongest in Southeast Asia, but the company does not separate out the subscription numbers for or revenues from the non-mainland Chinese businesses.
Significantly, iQiyi reported year-on-year and quarter-on-quarter gains in its average revenue per user (ARPU).
Box Office: ‘Renaissance’ Puts Beyoncé on Top With $11.5 Million Opening Day, ‘Godzilla Minus One’ Roaring to Third
Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé” is taking over the box office after grossing $11.5 million on its opening day from 2,539 locations, a figure that includes a strong $5.1 million in Thursday previews. Putting that next to the massive October debut of “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour,” it’s shaping up to be the first year on record that two concert documentaries have opened at the top of domestic charts.
Bianca Censori steals the show in Dubai with eye-catching fashion accessory during outing with Kanye West
Bianca Censori and Kanye West are back to their usual romantic outings. The celebrity couple seem to have relocated to Dubai following a rumored short break in their relationship, with the Australian architect wearing one of her controversial fashion ensembles.KANYE WEST AND BIANCA CENSORI BACK TOGETHER AFTER APPARENT ULTIMATUMBIANCA CENSORI REUNITES WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY IN MELBOURNE WITHOUT KANYE WESTKANYE WEST SURPRISED FANS WITH HIS FIRST CONCERT IN MONTHS IN DUBAIThis time Bianca decided to go for a brown long-sleeved micro dress, pairing the look with clear heels to attend designer Amina Muaddi’s pop-up store alongside her husband, who wore an all-black ensemble, including a leather coat and matching boots.Bianca’s revealing outfit is only one of her latest sheer looks, however, it was her fur hat and her stuffed animal accessory that stole the show during their outing.
Box Office: Beyoncé’s ‘Renaissance’ Takes on ‘Hunger Games’ Prequel With Estimated $20 Million Debut
Rebecca Rubin Film and Media Reporter Queen Bey is about to take on the box office. “Renaissance,” a concert film written, directed and produced by Beyoncé, is expected to bring in $17 million to $20 million in its opening weekend. The film will play in approximately 2,539 domestic locations, as well as 94 international territories, including Mexico, the U.K., South Africa, Kenya, Australia and Germany.
Sebastián Yatra confirms his breakup with Aitana: ‘We are and will be great friends’
Sebastián Yatra has made an announcement that disappoints both his fans and those of Aitana: their romantic relationship has come to an end, even though they still share a deep affection for each other. In his own words, “We have a lot of love for each other. We are, and will continue to be, great friends in life. At this point, we are both single, each of us forging our own paths. Nonetheless, I hold a great deal of care for her, and we’ve shared a beautiful story this year,” he confirmed during an interview with the Mexican channel Telediario.Currently, the ‘Red Heels’ singer is in Mexico, where Aitana, also has a loyal fan base.
Chinese Streamer iQiyi Sets Theatrical Deals in Southeast Asia
Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief Chinese films “Trending Topic” and “The Invisible Guest” will be given theatrical releases in Malaysia and Singapore in the coming month. This step follows agreements between Chinese streamer iQiyi and Malaysian cinema chain GSC and Singaporean distributor Clover Films.
China Box Office: Annual Total Passes $7 Billion as ‘Across the Furious Sea’ Sails Off With Weekend Win, Disney’s ‘Wish’ Opens Fifth
Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief China’s nationwide annual box office passed the symbolic $7 billion and RMB 50 billion marks in recent days, confirming a decent, but still incomplete recovery of the theatrical cinema industry. According to consultancy Artisan Gateway, the running box office total to Nov. 26 was $7.15 billion.
Ridley Scott’s ‘Napoleon’ Reigns Supreme at Global Box Office With $78.8 Million
Rebecca Rubin Film and Media Reporter Ridley Scott’s historical epic “Napoleon” may not have conquered the top spot in North America, but it emerged victorious at the worldwide box office. The film, starring Joaquin Phoenix as the infamous French ruler, debuted to $78.8 million, including $46.3 million internationally — enough to stave off the competition on global charts.
Box Office: ‘Napoleon’ Makes $3 Million in Previews, ‘Wish’ Follows With $2.3 Million
Jordan Moreau Disney is wishing upon a box office star this Thanksgiving, as its latest animated movie “Wish” takes on Apple’s historical drama “Napoleon.” “Wish” is expected to come out on top this weekend, but “Napoleon” won the first box office battle in previews. “Napoleon” made $3 million in previews, which began on Tuesday due to the Thanksgiving holiday, and “Wish” made $2.3 million. The family friendly animated movie about Disney’s iconic wishing star is expected to make $35 million over the typical weekend.
DouYu CEO Chen Shaojie Arrested, Chinese Live Streaming Company Confirms
Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief Chen Shaojie, the chairman and CEO of leading Chinese gaming live-streaming platform Douyu, has been arrested. The NASDAQ-listed company confirmed the previously-reported news in a regulatory filing late on Tuesday. DouYu said that it was informed that Chen was arrested by police in Chengdu “on or about Nov. 16.” Reputable Chinese and international media previously reported that he had been missing for at least three weeks and had been away from public view since August. In China, suspects in criminal cases are often detained for weeks or months prior to their formal arrest.
Suki Waterhouse shows off baby bump as she confirms first pregnancy with Robert Pattinson
Suki Waterhouse has shown off her growing baby bump after she announced her pregnancy during a performance at Corona Capital Festival in Mexico City. The Daisy Jones and the Six star, 31, took to Instagram following the concert, where she posed with pal Georgia May Jagger and proudly showed off her blossoming bump.
Swingers club with 18 bedrooms, a sauna and a 'massage area' to be built inside Dave’s Angling Superstore
A swingers club with 18 bedrooms, a sauna, cinema room and dancefloor housed in an aquarium building has been approved by Bolton Council. The private members club now has permission to operate on the site of Dave’s Aquarium, Folds Road, Bolton.
‘Big Little Lies’: Nicole Kidman Confirms Season 3 Of HBO’s Hit Series Is Happening
There’s no denying “Big Little Lies” was a huge hit for HBO. Originally pitched as a limited series, the show with an all-star cast (including Nicole Kidman, Reese Witherspoon, Shailene Woodley, Zoe Kravitz, and more) was such a hit, HBO decided to pay a huge sum for a second season.
Swingers club with 18 bedrooms, a sauna and a 'massage area' to be built inside Dave’s Angling Superstore
A swingers club with 18 bedrooms, a sauna, cinema room and dancefloor housed in an aquarium building has been approved by Bolton Council. The private members club now has permission to operate on the site of Dave’s Aquarium, Folds Road, Bolton.
‘Last Week Tonight’ Host John Oliver Dings Apple TV+ Saying Streamer Is “Where Celebrities Go To Hide”
John Oliver took a jab at Apple TV+ during the latest episode of his HBO show Last Week Tonight.
China Box Office: ‘The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’ Debuts in Third Place
Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief Local crime drama film “Last Suspect” returned to the top spot at the mainland China box office over the latest weekend, as “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” opened quietly in third place. Narrowly beaten last week by “The Marvels,” “Last Suspect” climbed one place while “The Marvels” fell out of the top five in China. In its third weekend of release, “Last Suspect” recorded $10.1 million (RMB76 million), according to data from consultancy Artisan Gateway.
Chinese Film Director Barred From Attending Singapore World Premiere of Documentary
Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief Chinese authorities have banned artist and film director Guo Zhenming from traveling to Singapore for the world premiere of his documentary film “Tedious Days and Nights.” The film is scheduled to play at the Singapore International Film Festival on Dec. 4 in the festival’s Standpoint strand. It was advertised as including a Q&A session with the director.
Strong Summer Box Office Helps Alibaba’s Film and Music Businesses Cut Losses in Quarter
Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief Alibaba, China’s e-commerce and entertainment giant, revealed a 9% revenue improvement and a return to profits in the three months to the end of September, the second quarter of its financial year. The group, which is in the process of breaking itself up into six separate businesses, had revenue of RMB225 billion ($30.8 billion). Net income of RMB26.7 billion ($3.66 billion) compared with a net loss of RMB22.5 billion in the same period last year.
Games Recovery Helps Revenues at China’s Tencent in Uneven Third Quarter
Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief Modest increases in its Chinese and international games sectors helped Chinese tech giant Tencent achieve respectable results for the three months from July to September, the third quarter of its financial year. Group revenues weighed in at RMB154 billion ($21.5 billion), an increase of 10% year on year and 4% quarter on quarter. Some analysts interpreted that as below their forecasts, but others saw it as beating China’s currently sluggish economy. Profit for the period was RMB36.8 billion ($5.14 billion), which was down 5% year on year, but a 38% improvement on the group’s second quarter. Moreover, Tencent claims that a non-IFRS treatment of its accounts better reflects core earnings.
‘Deep Sea,’ Cutting-Edge Chinese Animation, Sets North American Theatrical Release
Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief “Deep Sea,” an innovative Chinese-made animation film that has played the international festival circuit throughout this year, will release in North American theaters later this month. Theatrical rights were acquired by Viva Films from Netherlands-China sales outfit Fortissimo Films. Viva plans an outing on Nov.