斗鱼，踏入“涉黄”的河流

Core Viewpoint - Douyu, once a leading game live-streaming company, is facing significant challenges as its primary revenue source has been declining for 13 consecutive quarters, leading to concerns about its sustainability and future prospects [1][3][23]. Group 1: Revenue Decline - Douyu's revenue has decreased from 71.08 million yuan in 2022 to 42.71 million yuan in 2024, reflecting a year-on-year decline of 22.44%, 22.2%, and 22.78% respectively [3]. - In Q1 2024, Douyu's revenue further dropped to 94.7 million yuan, a year-on-year decline of 8.91%, with live-streaming revenue falling 29.5% to 56.5 million yuan compared to the same period in 2024 [3]. - The decline in live-streaming revenue is attributed to a decrease in both the total number of paying users and the average spending per paying user [3]. Group 2: Cost-Cutting Measures - Douyu has reduced its workforce from 2,155 employees at the end of 2021 to 819 by the end of 2024, representing a reduction of over 60% in just three years [6]. - The company has also implemented cost-cutting measures, with R&D expenses dropping by 39.5% to 32.7 million yuan in Q1 2025, while sales expenses decreased by 3.5% to 72.9 million yuan [14]. Group 3: Controversial Dividends - Douyu has made unexpected dividend payments totaling 6 billion USD (approximately 4.3 billion yuan) within six months, raising concerns about depleting its financial resources [2][9]. - The first dividend payment of 3 billion USD was approved in July 2024, with a second similar payment announced in January 2025, coinciding with the appointment of the new co-CEO [9][10]. - Despite the substantial dividends, Douyu's profitability has been poor, with only two profitable years since 2020, and a total net profit of less than 500 million yuan, which is significantly lower than the dividend payouts [10][14]. Group 4: Content Quality Issues - Douyu has been criticized for allowing low-quality and borderline content to proliferate on its platform, with reports of inappropriate behavior from some streamers [15][19]. - The platform has issued announcements to combat lowbrow and pornographic content but has been accused of using euphemisms to circumvent regulations, leading to a stark contrast between stated policies and actual practices [21][22]. Group 5: Leadership Challenges - The arrest of former CEO Chen Shaojie for gambling-related charges has led to instability within the company, with several prominent streamers also implicated in gambling scandals [23][24]. - The new co-CEO, Ren Simin, aged 29, faces skepticism regarding her ability to lead a large public company, especially during a challenging period for Douyu [23][24].