In the early days of online video, before the copyright era fully took shape, the domestic online video industry was already booming and fiercely competing for dominance. For users, almost any video content they could imagine was freely available to watch. However, with the influx of capital and growing awareness of copyright in recent years, only a few "warriors" managed to survive the intense competition. Among them, the three major platforms—iQiyi, Tencent Video, and Youku Tudou—have formed a tripartite structure in the industry.
Film Quality Comparison (iQiyi labeled as 4K, Tencent and Youku as 1080P)
TV Drama Quality Comparison (All labeled as 1080P)
From the comparison charts, there's almost no difference in color, sharpness, or brightness. Even iQiyi’s 4K label appears blurry.
I couldn’t help but say it’s misleading. Online video quality comparisons have always been tricky. Due to streaming limitations, video platforms compress bit rates, leading to unclear visuals. The 1080P we watch online doesn’t truly represent real 1080P.
However, after testing, I found that all three platforms provide excellent video quality that meets most users' needs. Adapting to mainstream network conditions is already challenging, so we shouldn’t be too demanding. In summary, there are no obvious differences in the quality of the main films across the three platforms.
**Conclusion:**
After repeated comparisons, we found that the membership prices of iQiyi, Tencent Video, and Youku are almost the same this year, meaning the price war will not continue. The main competition now revolves around content, especially exclusivity. iQiyi focuses on original content, producing large volumes of high-quality material. Tencent has acquired many high-quality copyrights, including movies and American dramas, giving it strong overall power. Youku may not highlight its focus, but it consistently caters to mainstream tastes.
Who is the best choice for 198 yuan? I believe many of my readers have already made their decision based on personal preferences. Feel free to leave a comment below with your thoughts or suggestions. We’ll meet again next year!
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Tencent Video, iQiyi, Youku: Who Will Win?
The concept of membership has existed since the early days of video platforms, but initially, it was mainly used as a way to avoid ads, which frustrated many users. It wasn't until the "content is king" era that video sites began to compete fiercely on content quality. During this time, the membership model also flourished. Since 2017, the monetization strategy of video websites started shifting toward paying users, and more people began to accept or even appreciate the idea of paying for premium content through memberships.
The maturity of the membership system has increased user loyalty and platform stickiness. Choosing a site with more premium content has become an important consideration. In 2017, besides the copyright battles, iQiyi, Youku, and Tencent also invested heavily in original content and super IPs. This year’s free-to-watch drama “The White Night Chase†on Youku has over 4 billion views, while its self-produced IP series “Ghost Blows†has even surpassed traditional TV ratings.
Mass Production Content Has Gone Viral This Year
At the same time, numerous self-made variety shows like iQiyi's "China Hip-Hop" have achieved massive success, with over 2.7 billion plays, social coverage exceeding 700 million people, and more than 8 billion microblog short video broadcasts. These programs have become some of the most popular this year.
Can iQiyi, Tencent Video, and Youku still hold the top three spots this year? What are their respective strengths and strategies? Here we compare prices, video resources, and quality to see who stands out.
Annual fee is 198 yuan. Sounds good, right?
In the past, if you knew someone had a membership, you’d want to borrow it. But in the last two years, more people are buying memberships themselves. Fewer people are looking for free links and resources. Even I, myself, would rather wait for ads than spend a dozen dollars a month. Now, I’ve purchased annual memberships from these three platforms, and this change shocked me.
iQiyi Membership Benefits
Tencent Video Membership Benefits
Youku Video Membership Benefits
In the past, members were exempt from ads. Now, in addition to skipping ads, members can enjoy exclusive movies, high-definition pictures, and more. These benefits are now what most users seek. From the comparison chart, the three platforms offer similar benefits with little difference.
Three Video Site Member Price Comparison (Right Price Includes Full Terminal Access)
Currently, the prices of the three major video site memberships haven’t created a big gap. They are almost the same. Compared to the fierce price wars last year, this year’s pricing seems more stable. The monthly fees for all three are around 15 yuan, while the annual fee of 198 yuan offers better value.
It’s worth noting that with the expansion of smart TVs and the popularity of TV content, the integration between TV and online video has grown closer. This year, all three platforms have launched full-terminal memberships, which are more expensive. Tencent’s monthly price is 27 yuan, making it the most cost-effective. Its pricing advantage is clear.
The first 20 films of the year are all on Tencent, but...
The core of a video platform is its content library. Despite the focus on original IP, the battle for film and TV copyrights remains intense. iQiyi once claimed to invest 100 billion yuan in content, and Tencent’s investment this year has increased by 8 times. Many videos on the site are tagged with “Global Premiere†or “Online Broadcast†to attract users to register and purchase memberships.
In terms of content comparison, I selected the top 20 domestic box office hits of 2017 for analysis.
Comparison of Movie Resources Across Three Platforms
This year’s spending on these platforms is clearly significant. Last year, the comparison showed red highlights, but this year, the layout of popular movies has significantly improved. Except for the newly released “The Iron Shark of Shame†and “The Rise of the Pompoon 3,†most others are available. Tencent has exclusive access, while some content from Youku and iQiyi is not available on Tencent.
Although Tencent didn’t spend less, many sources require separate payments, which is a pain point for users. iQiyi and Youku allow free viewing through membership vouchers. Overall, all three platforms are strong, but Tencent has the broadest content, though its payment models are more complex.
Exclusive Original Content
In addition to comparing movie resources, the competition for self-made and exclusive content has been fierce this year. Each platform has its own focus, so no direct comparison was made here. Let’s briefly discuss:
Tencent has the strongest American drama lineup, including “Game of Thrones,†“X-Men,†and “West World.†It also holds rights to major sports events like NBA and CBA. Youku has a wide range of self-produced content, such as Guo Degang’s comic dialogues. iQiyi has a comprehensive lineup, including popular dramas like “River God,†“Ghost Blows the Light of Makino 2,†and the hit show “China Has Hip Hop.†It seems that the 10 billion yuan spent this year was well worth it.
Not All 1080P Is Truly 1080P
Besides avoiding ads, many users buy memberships for better video quality. With faster internet speeds, this year we found that the video quality offered by major platforms has improved. The average clarity across the three platforms reaches 1080P or Blu-ray quality, and some iQiyi videos claim to support 4K resolution. Is this true? Let’s test it.
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Schuko USB Power Strip: Ultimate German-Engineered Charging Hub
Certified Type F Sockets | 6 AC Outlets + 4 Smart USB Ports | VDE/CE/RoHS Approved
Engineered for precision power delivery in Germany and EU markets, this Schuko (Type F) power strip combines industrial-grade safety with hyper-fast charging. Featuring 6 grounded CEE 7/4 sockets and 4 intelligent USB ports (2× USB-C PD 20W + 2× USB-A QC 3.0), it delivers 68W total USB power – simultaneously charge laptops, phones, tablets, and IoT devices without speed throttling.
Key Innovations
✅ Zero Overheat Design: Flame-retardant PC-ABS casing (1382°C rated)
✅ Child Safety: Automatic shutter blocks foreign objects
✅ EMI/RFI Noise Filter: Protects sensitive medical/audio equipment
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