Core Points - Apple has allowed US streaming giants like Netflix to bypass the 30% App Store fee through third-party payment channels, a privilege not extended to Chinese companies, putting them at a competitive disadvantage in the global market [1][3] - The "Apple tax" is expected to extract over 5.2 billion yuan from China's video culture industry by 2025, which could have been invested in quality content production, thereby weakening China's cultural product competitiveness [1][19] - The online video industry in China is facing a downturn, with major platforms like iQIYI and Mango TV experiencing revenue declines, exacerbated by the burden of the Apple tax [10][5] Group 1: Apple Tax Impact - The Apple tax will take approximately 3.7 billion yuan from the long video market and over 1.5 billion yuan from the emerging micro-drama market by 2025 [1][19] - In 2024, the Apple tax burden for iQIYI and Mango TV is projected to reach around 2.2 billion yuan, with expectations to maintain this level in 2025 [10][11] - The total Apple tax for the online video industry is estimated to reach 3.7 billion yuan in 2025, impacting the overall financial health of the sector [12][21] Group 2: Industry Trends - The micro-drama market in China is rapidly growing, with its market size expected to reach 63.4 billion yuan by 2025, surpassing the film box office [17][19] - The introduction of Apple tax on micro-drama platforms could lead to an additional 1.5 billion yuan in fees by 2025, further straining the industry's financial resources [19][26] - The increasing reliance on membership services as a revenue source for platforms like iQIYI and Mango TV is leading to higher Apple tax payments, intensifying cost pressures [10][8] Group 3: Competitive Landscape - Chinese video platforms are facing a significant disadvantage compared to their US counterparts, which benefit from reduced tax burdens and can reinvest more in content creation [19][23] - The disparity in Apple tax policies between China and the US highlights the challenges faced by Chinese companies in competing on a global scale [20][21] - If China were to adopt a similar third-party payment policy as the US, the Apple tax burden could be reduced to 2 billion yuan by 2026, allowing for significant reinvestment in content production [21][22]