Douyin, TikTok and China's Online Screen Industry: The Rise of Short-Video Platforms

TikTok, a short-video platform, has gained worldwide attention due to its origin in China. This book explores why TikTok became a significant competitor on the global stage, focusing on the historical development of China's online screen industry, ICT industry, business models, and cultural factors. It traces the changing dynamics of the Chinese online screen ecology and how technological, industrial, and cultural factors contributed to the proliferation of short-video platforms.

Format: Hardback
Length: 144 pages
Publication date: 22 September 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

TikTok, a short-video platform that has captured the attention of people worldwide, has its origins in China. Despite its widespread popularity, many people are unaware that it is a Chinese-born and operated platform, serving as a sister or parallel platform to Douyin. The platform's popularity has also sparked interest in the political and social dynamics of China, particularly in light of its ongoing dispute with the US government.

Two central questions loom over the minds of many: why China and why TikTok? This book aims to provide answers to these questions by exploring the rise of short-video platforms in China, with a particular focus on the sudden and unexpected success of TikTok and its parallel platform Douyin.

The book begins by tracing the historical development of China's online screen industry, examining the ICT industry, its business models, and their impact on the screen industry. It then delves into the factors that contributed to the domestic popularity of Douyin, drawing on a range of sources, including policy documents, industry reports, and expert analysis. Interviews with key individuals in the field further enrich the analysis.

Through its comprehensive exploration, the book sheds light on the changing dynamics of China's online screen ecology. It reveals how a combination of technological advancements, industrial policies, and cultural factors have fostered the proliferation of short-video platforms in China. TikTok, in particular, has emerged as a significant competitor on the global stage, attracting millions of users and generating significant revenue for its parent company, ByteDance.

This engaging and topical book will be of interest to students and scholars of media and communication studies, platform studies, and political economy studies. It offers valuable insights into the complex relationship between technology, industry, and culture in shaping the digital landscape of China and beyond. By examining the rise global appeal of TikTok, this book contributes to our understanding of the evolving dynamics of the digital world and the role of emerging platforms in shaping our social and political experiences.

Weight: 460g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032198293