Alibaba Group plans to create China version of Netflix, HBO

SHANGHAI — Alibaba Group Holding is planning to build China’s version of Netflix and HBO via a new service called Tmall Box Office, as it tries to service 600 million families craving more entertainment content.

The new service will be offered in about two months through Alibaba’s set-top box and smart televisions that carry its operating system, including those manufactured by Haier Group, Mr Liu Chunning, president of Alibaba’s digital entertainment business, said in Shanghai yesterday (June 14). Some of the content will be produced by the company and some purchased overseas, Mr Liu told the press briefing.

Alibaba is on a buying spree as it tries to compete with Tencent Holdings for China’s US$5.9 billion (S$7.9 billion) online video market. Alibaba Pictures Group completed a HK$12.2 billion (S$2.1 billion) stake sale in Hong Kong to help finance potential acquisitions in June. Billionaire Chairman Jack Ma visited Hollywood in October to acquire more content.

“We want to create a whole new family entertainment experience,” Mr Liu said. “Our goal is to become like Netflix in the US, HBO in the US.”

Alibaba is also exploring opportunities to build e-commerce businesses based on brands that film stars wear in shows and movies, said mr Liu, adding that the company would be open to working with Hollywood.

Shares of Alibaba Pictures rose as much as 3.6 per cent to HK$3.17 in Hong Kong trading today.

Alibaba’s crowdfunding platform Yu Le Bao has raised 530 million yuan (S$114.4 million) and invested in 24 projects, Mr Liu said.

The value of China’s online video market is estimated to almost triple to 90 billion yuan by 2018, according to Shanghai-based Internet consultant IResearch.

Wasu Media Holding, a Chinese media company backed by Mr Ma, has also held talks with Netflix as the broadcaster of House of Cards hopes to expand in China, the company said last month. BLOOMBERG