Core Viewpoint - The online music industry is becoming a profitable business, with significant revenue growth reported by major players like Tencent Music and NetEase Cloud Music, driven by improved copyright management and user payment habits [1][3][6]. Financial Performance - Tencent Music reported total revenue of 8.44 billion yuan for Q2 2025, a year-on-year increase of 17.9%, with online music service revenue growing by 26.4% to 6.85 billion yuan [1]. - NetEase Cloud Music's revenue for the first half of 2025 was 3.827 billion yuan, a decrease of 6% from the previous year, but online music service revenue increased by 15.9% to 2.967 billion yuan [1]. - Tencent Music's adjusted net profit for the quarter was 2.64 billion yuan, up 33% year-on-year [1]. Market Dynamics - Online music services now account for 80% of Tencent Music's total revenue and 77.5% of NetEase Cloud Music's total revenue, a significant shift from 2018 when these figures were much lower [2]. - The competitive landscape has evolved, with Tencent Music and NetEase Cloud Music now focusing on online music services rather than social entertainment services, which previously dominated their revenue streams [2][3]. Copyright Management - The decline of music piracy in China, from 95% to below 5%, has been pivotal in the growth of the digital music industry, leading to a "copyright accumulation competition" among platforms [4]. - Tencent Music has secured exclusive rights to a significant portion of the music library, forcing competitors like NetEase Cloud Music to pay high prices for licensing [4][5]. - The copyright wars have driven up the prices of music rights, but they have also fostered a culture of paid subscriptions among users [6][7]. User Engagement and Payment Models - Tencent Music's online music subscription revenue reached 4.38 billion yuan in Q2 2023, with a 17.1% year-on-year growth, and the number of paying users increased to 124 million [7]. - NetEase Cloud Music's subscription revenue grew to 2.47 billion yuan, a 15.2% increase [7]. - The platforms have developed a tiered subscription model to enhance user engagement and payment rates, effectively turning music into a sustainable profit-generating business [7]. Competitive Landscape - The rise of new players like "Soda Music" and "Tomato Listening" is challenging the dominance of Tencent Music and NetEase Cloud Music, leveraging lower subscription fees and algorithm-driven user engagement [14][15]. - The competition is intensifying as these new entrants utilize short video platforms to attract users, creating a potential shift in the market dynamics [14][17]. - The future of the online music industry may evolve into a three-way competition, with Tencent Music, NetEase Cloud Music, and new entrants vying for market share [17].

Investment Rating - The report initiates coverage with a "Strong Buy" rating for NetEase Cloud Music [2][6] Core Views - NetEase Cloud Music focuses on "music community + technology empowerment" to build a differentiated advantage in the online music platform, actively expanding quality music content resources in the post-copyright era, targeting a younger demographic, and optimizing membership benefits, leading to continuous growth in membership scale and significant potential for ARPU increase [6][12][41] Summary by Sections 1. Company Overview - NetEase Cloud Music was launched in 2013, focusing on user experience and social innovation rather than engaging in copyright battles with industry giants, establishing a unique development path in the online music market [12][15] - The ownership structure is stable, with major shareholder NetEase holding approximately 59.54% of shares, ensuring concentrated strategic decision-making [17] 2. Core Business - The core business is divided into "online music services" and "social entertainment services," with a strong emphasis on creating a youthful, interactive music community [19] - The platform boasts over 150 million licensed songs and has established partnerships with major record labels, enhancing its content library and user engagement [20][22] 3. Revenue Growth - Online music service revenue is projected to grow by 23.1% year-on-year to 5.355 billion yuan in 2024, driven by optimized membership services and rich content [30] - The membership subscription revenue is expected to increase by 22.2% year-on-year to 4.459 billion yuan in 2024, reflecting the effectiveness of the membership system [30][37] 4. Community Ecosystem - The platform has built a unique community ecosystem that enhances user engagement, with daily user-generated content (UGC) interactions exceeding 1 million comments [59] - The average revenue per user (ARPU) is currently at 6.9 yuan, significantly lower than competitors, indicating substantial room for growth [63] 5. Financial Projections - Revenue is expected to reach 8.237 billion yuan in 2025, with adjusted net profit projected at 1.923 billion yuan, reflecting a strong growth trajectory [7][30] - The company aims to improve its profitability through strategic partnerships and enhanced user experiences, with a focus on expanding its membership base [37][41]