Youku receives GAPP Internet publication licence

Chinese Internet television company Youku has received an internet publication licence from China's General Administration of Press and Publication (GAPP). The licence covers publication of any audiovisual content that is officially authorised for distribution in China, and authorises Youku to offer such content over both online and mobile networks. Youku is one of China's first online video companies, and one of a handful of Internet companies, to be granted this permit. The new license will allow Youku to expand its offerings into the field of the mobile Internet and converged networks. Zhu Huilong, vice president of movie operations and corporate development at Youku, said: "We're very excited to receive the internet publication licence. We see this as a recognition of our Youku Premium business model and our successes in presenting and managing online content. The new licence will allow Youku to further extend its industry-leading platform, and will help us ensure that we can offer quality content to our 300 million viewers no matter where they are or whether they're using PCs, tablets, or smartphones." Youku received two online video licences from China's State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT) in July 2008 for internet audio/video programming transmission and production, which enabled the company to engage in professional content syndication, user-generated content sharing, and original content production. Two more SARFT permits in February 2011 allowed Youku to expand its video services into live broadcasting, video search, and production and distribution of original content.