Netflix might be looking to make an entrance in China, but it would have plenty of competition, including some from Alibaba’s upcoming str...
Netflix might be looking to make an entrance in China, but it would have plenty of competition, including some from Alibaba’s upcoming streaming service which will launch in about two months.
Called Tmall Box Office — otherwise known as TBO — it will focus on bringing streaming shows and movies to China while also trying to emulate Netflix’s successful entrance into the world of original programming. The idea is that most of TBO’s content will be paid for by monthly or episodic subscriptions, but about 10% will be completely free.
“Our mission, the mission of all of Alibaba, is to redefine home entertainment,” the company’s Patrick Liu said. “Our goal is to become like HBO in the United States, to become like Netflix in the United States.”
It’s a lofty goal, especially because Alibaba is far from the only game in town. In fact companies like Tencent Holdings Ltd., Baidu Inc., Leshi Internet Information & Technology Corp Beijing and Sohu.com Inc. have already spent billions trying to shore up the streaming market in China.
Alibaba is a China-based web company that offers a variety of services to consumers and businesses alike from e-payment options and shopping search engines to cloud functionality and an ebay-like site called Taobao.
Netflix started out as a DVD subscription service, but eventually moved into the streaming side of the business where it has become the standard in the United States and around the world in many cases. Netflix streaming is currently available in Canada, Mexico, the UK, Latin American, and all across Europe. China is on the list of countries to tackle next, but it might take some time given the fact that foreign internet companies have routinely had difficulty setting up shop there.
