Company Overview - TME is committed to the healthy development of China's online music industry[7] - TME has a large user base, innovative product matrix, comprehensive content library, and diversified monetization methods[11] - TME has over 260 million music and audio tracks[12, 15] and over 580,000 indie musicians[12] Business Overview - TME has partnerships with hundreds of domestic and international music labels[15] - TME cultivates and empowers indie musicians through the Tencent Musician Platform[17] - TME utilizes LLMs & industry-pioneered licensed AI features to enhance promotion, distribution and copyright protection[18] - TME's platform caters to varying needs of music consumers, with online music paying users reaching 122.9 million and a paying ratio of 22.1% in 1Q25[8, 24] Financial Highlights - TME's total cash, cash equivalents, term deposits, and short-term investments amounted to RMB 37.67 billion as of March 31, 2025[12, 45] - TME's LTM 2025 total revenues were RMB 29.0 billion with a 29.5% LTM 2025 adjusted net margin[12] - TME's 1Q25 revenue from music subscriptions was RMB 5.80 billion, a 16.6% year-over-year increase[34] - TME's 1Q25 online music monthly ARPPU was RMB 11.4, a 7.5% year-over-year increase[12, 34] - TME's 1Q25 Non-IFRS net profit was RMB 2.23 billion, a 22.8% year-over-year increase[34]

Company Overview - TME boasts a large user base and innovative technology, holding 4 out of the top 5 music mobile apps in China[15] - The platform has an extensive content library with over 260 million music and audio tracks[15] - TME's online music subscribers reached 121 million in 4Q24, demonstrating a year-over-year growth of 134%[12] - The company reported total cash, cash equivalents, term deposits, and short-term investments of RMB 3758 billion as of December 31, 2024[14] - TME's last twelve months (LTM) total revenues as of December 31, 2024, were RMB 284 billion, with an adjusted net margin of 286%[14] Business Overview - TME has partnerships with hundreds of domestic and international music labels, offering a diversified music library[17] - The platform cultivates and empowers indie musicians through the Tencent Musician Platform[19] Financial Highlights - In 4Q24, revenue from music subscriptions reached RMB 403 billion, an increase of 180% year-over-year[37] - 4Q24 revenue from other online music services was RMB 180 billion, up 121% year-over-year[37] - The online music monthly ARPPU for 4Q24 was RMB 111, a 37% year-over-year increase[38] - Non-IFRS net profit for 4Q24 was RMB 240 billion, showing a significant increase of 430% year-over-year[38] - The company's gross margin for 4Q24 was 436%, a 53 percentage point increase year-over-year[37]

Global Markets Strategy 14 June 2025 Wendy Liu AC (852) 2800-1087 wendy.m.liu@jpmorgan.com J.P. Morgan Securities (Asia Pacific) Limited/ J.P. Morgan Broking (Hong Kong) Limited Erin Zhang, CFA 更多资料加入知识星球：水木调研纪要 关注公众号：水木纪要 China Equity Strategy China consumption: From Goods to Experiences While China's overall consumption trends have been lackluster since re-opening, shares of selected "new consumption" stocks have significantly outperformed the MXCN index YTD. An average weighted index consisting of stocks ...

Core Viewpoint - The podcast industry is gaining significant attention from capital, with numerous fund companies entering the space as a new avenue for brand communication and investor education, indicating a growing trend in the financial sector [1][4]. Fund Companies and Podcast Engagement - Over 20 public fund companies, including Huaxia Fund, China Europe Fund, Tianhong Fund, and Dacheng Fund, have launched podcast channels on platforms like Ximalaya and Xiaoyuzhou [1]. - The podcast "Dafang Talks Money" from a certain fund company has a subscription count of 75,867, while China Europe Fund's podcast has 29,528 subscribers [2]. Audience Engagement and Listening Habits - A significant portion of podcast listeners, over 80%, tune in for more than three days a week, with 76.2% listening for over half an hour daily [8]. - The average completion rate for China Europe Fund's podcast is nearly 45%, with users averaging over 40 minutes of listening time [3]. Market Dynamics and Competition - The podcast market is rapidly evolving, with platforms like Ximalaya, Xiaoyuzhou, and NetEase Cloud Music leading in user base and content offerings [9]. - In 2024, Xiaoyuzhou added 46,000 new podcast programs and 484,000 episodes, with a total playback time of 840 million minutes [9]. Monetization Challenges - Despite the growing audience, monetization remains a challenge, with the podcast advertising market in China generating approximately 3.3 billion yuan, compared to 210 billion yuan for short video platforms [12]. - Many podcast hosts struggle with revenue generation, as evidenced by a popular podcast revealing only one advertising collaboration in a year, relying heavily on membership for income [11]. Technological Impact and Future Prospects - The rise of AI in podcasting, such as the introduction of AI-generated content, poses both challenges and opportunities for the industry, potentially leading to a reshaping of content creation and distribution [13][16]. - The integration of AI technology by major platforms like Ximalaya and Tencent is expected to enhance production efficiency and user engagement in the long audio market [17].

Core Viewpoint - Tencent Music Entertainment Group (TME) announced the acquisition of Ximalaya for approximately 20.5 billion RMB (1.26 billion USD), which includes 12.6 billion RMB in cash and up to 5.1986% of TME's shares [1][2]. Group 1: Acquisition Details - The acquisition was communicated internally at Ximalaya, where founder Yu Jianjun expressed emotional distress despite the financial gain, indicating a sense of loss for the company's future [2][4]. - Yu Jianjun holds 10.61% of Ximalaya through Xima Holdings Limited, translating to over 2 billion RMB in cash-out from the acquisition [2][3]. Group 2: Financial Performance - Ximalaya has achieved profitability for nine consecutive months as of 2023, with an average monthly active user base of 303 million, capturing 25% of the online audio revenue market [3][10]. - Revenue figures from 2021 to 2023 show modest growth: 5.857 billion RMB in 2021, 6.061 billion RMB in 2022, and 6.463 billion RMB in 2023 [7][9]. - Adjusted net profits improved from -718 million RMB in 2021 to 2.24 billion RMB in 2023, largely due to cost-cutting measures [8]. Group 3: Revenue Challenges - Ximalaya's revenue model includes subscriptions, advertising, and live streaming, but faces challenges in monetization, with a low paid user rate of 5.3% compared to competitors [10][12]. - The company has seen a decline in membership subscription growth from 18.9% in 2021 to 8.4% in 2023, with paid content revenue experiencing negative growth for two consecutive years [11]. Group 4: Market Context - The broader content platform industry faces similar monetization challenges, with competitors like iQIYI and Zhihu also struggling to achieve consistent profitability [12][14]. - Ximalaya's valuation has significantly decreased from 4.3 billion USD in 2021 to approximately 2.85 billion USD at the time of the acquisition [15][16]. Group 5: Strategic Implications - The acquisition is viewed as a defensive move for Tencent Music, which is experiencing a decline in monthly active users [18][19]. - The integration of Ximalaya's long audio content with Tencent's music services presents both opportunities and challenges, particularly in aligning different content production models [22][23]. - The acquisition may provide Ximalaya with a capital exit strategy while Tencent Music seeks to enhance its market presence in the audio sector [26].

Core Viewpoint - After four failed IPO attempts, Yu Jianjun has decided to sell Himalaya to Tencent Music for nearly $2.9 billion, which is significantly lower than its peak valuation of nearly $5 billion, indicating challenges in the audio industry and the need for new growth avenues for Himalaya [1][6][7] Group 1: Company Overview - Himalaya, founded by Yu Jianjun, has become a leading platform in China's online audio sector, but has faced significant challenges in recent years, including a saturated market and competition from short video platforms [1][6] - The company initially relied on advertising revenue but reported substantial losses from 2019 to 2021, with cumulative losses reaching approximately 9.9 billion yuan ($1.5 billion) [5][6] - In 2023, Himalaya finally achieved profitability with a net profit of 224 million yuan ($34 million), but its revenue growth slowed to just 1.8%, totaling 6.17 billion yuan ($930 million) [6] Group 2: Industry Context - The long audio industry is approaching a market ceiling, exacerbated by the rapid rise of short video platforms that divert user attention and time [6][7] - The competitive landscape has forced Himalaya to seek partnerships and resources to enhance user experience and creator benefits, leading to the decision to merge with Tencent Music [7] - The merger is seen as a strategic move to navigate the ongoing industry transformation driven by AI and changing user demands [7]

Group 1: Investment Activities - Bepei Technology completed Pre-A round investment led by Shunwei Capital, raising nearly $10 million in total funding [1] - Shiok Burger announced Pre-A round financing led by AC Ventures, with existing shareholders increasing their stakes, achieving profitability after 12 months of growth [2] - Feixiong Lingxian completed nearly 100 million yuan in C round financing, providing comprehensive services in the frozen goods supply chain [3] - Wuxian Exploration secured 16 million yuan in angel round financing, focusing on innovative fruit tea products [4] - Maiba obtained 10 million yuan in angel round financing, offering a 24-hour self-service KTV model [5] - Renren Rental completed several hundred million yuan in D1 round financing, leveraging blockchain and AI technologies for a circular rental service platform [6] - Jason Entertainment received strategic investment from Hengdian Capital, focusing on IP copyright operations and content investment [7] Group 2: Corporate Developments - Ximalaya confirmed acquisition rumors by Tencent Music, maintaining brand independence and operational continuity post-acquisition [8] - Yingshi Technology debuted on the Sci-Tech Innovation Board, with a first-day stock price increase of over 270%, achieving a market cap exceeding 70 billion yuan [9] Group 3: Market Trends - Nova Coffee partnered with Lawson convenience stores to enhance market penetration, launching promotional offers and coffee products [12] - The second-hand market is shifting towards trust-based competition, with the opening of "Super Zhuangzhuang," a multi-category second-hand store [13] - The smart glasses market is experiencing significant growth, with global shipments expected to reach 12.8 million units by 2025, and China's market projected to exceed 2.75 million units [13][14] - In the restaurant sector, consumer preferences are shifting towards higher-rated establishments, with a 15.4% increase in average dining orders and a notable rise in the share of high-quality dining options [15]

出品 | 36氪未来消费（微信ID：lslb168） 离你更近的消费创投一线。 编辑 | 任彩茹 头图 | IC photo 「飞熊领鲜」完成近亿元C轮融资 据IT桔子，飞熊领鲜完成近亿元C轮融资，由河北临空私募基金管理有限公司与北京意诚阳光资产管 理有限公司联合投资。 飞熊领鲜为冻品产业链用户提供供应链金融、跨境采购、撮合交易、共享仓储交付、SaaS软件赋能 等综合服务。 「无限探索」完成1600万元天使轮融资 Busy Money 「贝陪科技」完成Pre-A轮投资 据智能涌现，智能玩具公司贝陪科技近日宣布完成Pre-A轮投资，由顺为资本独家投资。此前公司曾 获得由五源资本投资的天使轮融资和由青山资本独投的天使+轮融资，累计融资金额达到近千万美 元。 贝陪科技打造了AI玩具品牌"可豆陪陪"（KidoPally），并于今年4月底推出了首批AI玩具产品——友 爱兔和好奇熊。其产品主要面向全球2-8岁的儿童，有自然对话的儿童AI大模型、NFC游戏启智卡和 家长小程序等功能。 「Shiok Burger」完成Pre-A轮融资 36氪获悉，东南亚本土融合汉堡品牌Shiok Burger宣布完成Pre-A轮融资，本轮由 ...

音频市场正经历一场静水深流的演进。 6月10日晚间，腾讯音乐娱乐集团（简称"腾讯音乐"）发布公告称，与喜马拉雅控股（简称"喜马拉雅"）签订并购协议及计划。 根据协议，腾讯音乐拟通过12.6亿美元现金，外加不超过总股数5.1986%的A类普通股（总股数基于交易交割前五个工作日的已发行及发行在外普通股计 算）收购喜马拉雅，以及喜马拉雅创始股东可获得总数不超过总股数0.37%的A类普通股激励。 打破声音想象的上限。 公告一出，对"长音频"生意的探讨甚嚣尘上，质疑内容产业兑现不了资本的想象。从音频行业发展历程来看，喜马拉雅做出的选择实则是对"声音价值"的重 新锚定。 长音频赛道竞争激烈且多元发展，早期通过喜马拉雅、蜻蜓FM、荔枝FM为代表的在线音频平台，为市场完成了早期的消费者培养和教育，建立起市场 对"长音频"的初步认知。随后互联网巨头腾讯、字节凭借流量入场，还诞生了专注营造社会氛围，构筑社区黏性的小宇宙APP，这些竞争对手改变了国内音 频的原有格局。 不过，喜马拉雅由于成立时间较久且内容品类涵盖面广，受到用户的喜爱。喜马拉雅继2022年第四季度实现首次盈利后，2023年经调整净利润达2.24亿元， 2024年净利 ...

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the trend of "scale worship" in the internet industry, highlighting the structural failures of companies like Ximalaya and Hupu, which, despite their large user bases, struggled with monetization and ultimately resorted to acquisitions at lower valuations than their peak [4][7][10]. Summary by Sections Acquisition Cases - In June, two major acquisitions occurred in the internet sector: Xunlei acquired Hupu for 500 million RMB, and Tencent Music acquired Ximalaya for approximately 2.9 billion USD [4][7]. Ximalaya's Journey - Ximalaya, after 14 years, was acquired by Tencent Music for nearly 2.9 billion USD, significantly lower than its peak valuation of around 4.3 billion USD [7]. - The acquisition reflects a failure of the "scale worship" approach, where rapid user growth was prioritized over monetization [7][10]. Business Model and Financials - Ximalaya's strategy focused on user scale, leading to impressive growth but also significant losses, totaling 3.166 billion RMB from 2018 to 2022 [8]. - In 2021, Ximalaya spent 2.63 billion RMB on sales and marketing, accounting for 44.9% of its total revenue, indicating a heavy reliance on marketing to drive user growth [8]. - Despite having over 400 million audio contents and 300 million monthly active users, Ximalaya struggled to convert its large user base into profitable revenue streams [8][10]. Lessons for the Industry - The experiences of Ximalaya and Hupu serve as cautionary tales for other startups in the content industry, emphasizing the need for a clear path to profitability rather than merely focusing on user growth [10][11]. - The current market environment is harsher than a decade ago, with shorter capital cycles and stricter valuation standards, making it essential for companies to demonstrate a viable business model [10][11].