Caixin Online: Chinas video-streaming apps are disappearing

BEIJING (Caixin Online) Two more video-content providers said on Sept. 1 they would remove their Internet TV apps from online stores, after the countrys media regulator moved to tighten control over content that can be shown on Internet TVs and set-top boxes.

LeTV Media & Technology Co., which provides both content and devices, sent a notice to the third-party stores, asking them to remove the app that allows TV viewers access to online videos.

LeTV stopped taking orders for its TV set-top boxes a month ago. It has also suspended sales of its video content.

LeTV said it made the moves because of requirements from the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television. Its public-relations personnel did not answer questions about when it might resume sales.

Baidu Inc.s BIDU, -0.25% online video service iQiyi, which is similar to Google Inc.s GOOG, +0.36% YouTube, has also withdrawn its app from the online stores.

Many net companies have stopped selling content and devices. The companies include Youku Tudou Inc. YOKU, -1.03% the countrys leading online video provider; streaming website PPTV.com; BesTV New Media Co. 600637, +0.09% ; and China Network Television (CNTV).

In June, the media regulator told the industry to remove apps that allow viewers to watch content from the Internet that doesnt come from seven licensed providers. Those companies are China Network Television, Shanghai Media Group, Wasu Group 000156, +0.83% , Southern Media Corp., Hunan Television, China Radio International and China National Radio.

The next month, officials from the media regulator met with representatives from the seven providers in two groups to set out requirements for fixing problems in the Internet TV industry.

The requirements banned the providers from offering apps for Internet TV and set-top boxes to allow viewers to watch content from commercial websites. The companies are also not allowed to make deals with telecoms operators and firms being investigated by the media watchdog.

LeTVs app had attracted many viewers due to its large amount of content. Viewers had access to 7,000 movies, 100,000 episodes of TV dramas, 10,000 hours of family programming and live broadcast of sports events through its app.

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Caixin Online: Chinas video-streaming apps are disappearing

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