Tencent Video anime distribution and licensing strategy, explained
Tencent Video's animation strategy rests on a massive domestic subscriber base, a strong teen and YA animation channel, and a push into global licensing.
Published: 2026-08-19. Updated: 2026-08-19.
Short answer: Tencent Video is one of China's largest streaming platforms, with 117 million subscribers as reported by Cartoon Brew in May 2024. Its animation strategy centers on the Cartoon Channel, which the company said had more than 200 million viewers and ranked as the number one platform for teen and young-adult animation in China. The service is now seeking global licensing partners to distribute its animated series outside China, while also pursuing international co-productions for children's content.
How Tencent Video is positioned in animation
Tencent Video has built a large portfolio of animated content. According to Cartoon Brew, the platform's Cartoon Channel had more than 200 million viewers and was the leading destination for teen and young-adult animation in China. The same report put Tencent Video's total subscriber base at 117 million.
The content mix includes original titles and adaptations of web novels and video games. Examples named by the company include Honor of Kings, Lord of Mysteries: The Clown, Ling Long Mountain, Apocalypse of all Races, The Loud Inn, and the Taisu Project anthology. These span 3D adventure, 2D fantasy, science fiction, and stop-motion comedy.
Domestic content sourcing strategy
Tencent Video's domestic animation strategy relies heavily on adapting existing IP. The company has adapted web novels, video games, and comics into animated series, which lowers story-development risk and gives it built-in fan bases. The platform has also partnered with and invested in local animation studios in China.
This approach creates a content flywheel: a hit game or web novel can be adapted into animation, which in turn drives interest back to the original property and related Tencent services. The company views animation as a huge growth opportunity, particularly if it can extend its shows beyond China through licensing.
Global expansion through licensing and co-production
Tencent Video is actively looking for partners to distribute its animated series globally. In May 2024, a Tencent Video animation partnerships executive told Cartoon Brew that the time was right to introduce the company's content to international audiences and that it was excited to bring stories with breathtaking visuals to viewers at home and abroad.
For children's programming, Tencent Video has taken a co-production route. In 2020 it announced deals with European studios Zeilt Productions, Sixteen South, and Silvergate Media to develop new kids' properties with global appeal. These were described as the start of a multi-year strategy to partner with major international studios across Europe, with the shows airing as originals on Tencent Kids in China while the partners sought distribution for the rest of the world.
What Tencent Video's model means for rights holders
Tencent Video is both a buyer and a producer of animation. For Chinese studios and IP owners, it offers a domestic distribution platform with a large subscriber base. For international studios, it offers co-production funding and access to the Chinese market in exchange for distribution rights or co-ownership of new IP.
The dual strategy means Tencent Video competes for local IP in China while also competing for global children's IP through European partnerships. Rights holders should note that the platform has separate strategies for teen and YA animation, where it seeks global licensing, and for children's animation, where it prefers co-production.
What public evidence does not show
Tencent Video does not disclose animation-specific revenue, per-title production costs, or the terms of its co-production agreements. The 117 million subscriber figure and 200 million viewer figure for the Cartoon Channel are useful scale indicators, but they do not reveal how much of the platform's watch time or revenue comes from animation.
Global licensing deals for Tencent's teen and YA animation have been announced as a strategic direction, but specific territory deals, fees, and launch dates are not public. The evidence points to ambition and scale, not to a fully executed global distribution network.
Frequently asked questions
How many subscribers does Tencent Video have?
According to Cartoon Brew in May 2024, Tencent Video had 117 million subscribers.
What kind of animation does Tencent Video focus on?
Tencent Video focuses on teen and young-adult animation through its Cartoon Channel, which it said had more than 200 million viewers. It also produces children's animation through international co-productions.
Is Tencent Video expanding globally?
Yes. Tencent Video has stated it is seeking global licensing partners for its animated series and has signed co-production deals with European studios for children's content.
What are examples of Tencent Video animated series?
Examples named by the company include Honor of Kings, Lord of Mysteries: The Clown, Ling Long Mountain, Apocalypse of all Races, The Loud Inn, and the Taisu Project anthology.
Sources and methodology
- China's Tencent Video Eyes Global Audience For Its Teen/YA Animated Series, Cartoon Brew. May 7, 2024. Reports 117 million subscribers, Cartoon Channel with 200 million-plus viewers, examples of animated series, and global licensing ambitions.
- Co-productions for Tencent Video, Total Licensing. October 22, 2020. Announces co-production deals with Zeilt Productions, Sixteen South, and Silvergate Media for Tencent Kids, described as the start of a multi-year European co-production strategy.