iQIYI and Sony Pictures Television to Co-produce Premium Series in China

BEIJING, Dec. 1, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- iQIYI, China's largest internet and mobile video service provider, today announced a deal with Sony Pictures Television (SPT) to co-produce a high-quality, three-part series for the iQIYI platform, in what is a groundbreaking new cooperation between a Chinese video streaming service provider and a major Hollywood studio to produce programming in the Mandarin language. 

iQIYI said at a press conference in Beijing today that the co-production will be an adaptation of the hit American drama Chosen into a trilogy for online viewers.

Attending the event were Yang Xianghua, iQIYI's senior vice president and Dai Huang, vice-president of sales, international distribution and production at Sony Pictures Television, Asia Pacific.

Chosen is being produced by SPT's Playmaker Media with support from Screen NSW. The tense action thriller follows the story of a family which becomes drawn into a deadly game but ultimately binds together to save each other. The series is expected to feature China's top stars, while also utilizing international actors and production crew. Production is expected to begin in spring 2017 with an anticipated launch in the fall of 2017.

"Quality control is key to the development of any industry and iQIYI strives to make the best possible resources available to raise the level of crafting in net film production," Yang said.

"We look forward to bringing culturally relevant, premium content to iQIYI's important and growing audience," said Huang.

The market for internet films has been growing rapidly in China in recent years thanks to the surging appetite of local viewers for different types of content and the fast rise in the number of online video subscribers.

"As an online video service provider, iQIYI's future hinges upon not only its role to continue to be a leading platform for content from partners, but also its position as a pioneer to produce original and well-crafted content, particularly premium internet films," said Yang.

About iQIYI

Founded in April 2010, iQIYI has grown into China's largest Internet and mobile video service provider. An independently operated subsidiary of Baidu, the world's largest Chinese search engine, iQIYI is focused on providing Chinese users with the best possible online video experience, and has become an industry leader in developing innovative products and technologies.

About Sony Pictures Television

Sony Pictures Television (SPT) is one of the television industry's leading content providers, producing and distributing programming worldwide in every genre and for every platform. In addition to managing one of the industry's largest libraries of award-winning feature films, television shows and formats, SPT is home to a thriving US production business and operates 18 wholly-owned or joint venture production companies in 12 countries around the world. Sony Pictures Television (SPT) is a Sony Pictures Entertainment Company.

For further information, please contact:

Celine Sun
Marketing Department, iQIYI
+86 135 2041 5298
celinesun@qiyi.com

Stacy Weitz
Sony Pictures Television
stacy_weitz@spe.sony.com

SOURCE iQIYI