Huya Live is a Chinese video live streaming platform focused on video games and esports, operated by Huya Inc. (NYSE: HUYA). It is one of China’s two largest game live‑streaming services alongside DouYu and carries official esports broadcasts as well as user‑generated streams.[1] Huya Inc. is controlled by Tencent Holdings Limited. Outside mainland China, the service operates in selected overseas markets under the Nimo TV brand.[2]
History
On 24 November 2014, it was announced that YY.com's video streaming service would begin operating independently as Huya Live.[3]
On 4 January 2018, Riot Games gave Huya Live exclusive rights to broadcast the LCK, South Korea's professional esports league for League of Legends, in China.[4] The same was done for the LCS and LEC on 20 January 2020, the equivalent leagues in North America and Europe respectively.[5][6]
Since 11 May 2018, HUYA Inc.'s American Depositary Shares (ADSs) have been listed on the New York Stock Exchange, under the symbol "HUYA."[7]
Huya had 150 million monthly active users at the start of 2019.[8]
In April 2020, Tencent became the largest shareholder of Huya, having increased its voting power to 50.1% which reduced JOYY's voting stake from 55.5% to 43%.[9] As of 31 March 2025, Tencent beneficially owned 67.3% of Huya's total issued and outstanding share capital and had voting power of 95.4%.[10]
The mobile app of Huya was banned in India (along with other Chinese apps) on 2 September 2020 by the government amid the 2020 China-India skirmish.[11][12]
In July 2021, Chinese regulators blocked a proposed merger between Huya and DouYu on antitrust grounds.[13]
In 2024, Huya's game-related services, advertising and other revenues accounted for 21.9% of its total net revenues, up from 7.8% in 2023.[14]
In December 2025,Huya served as the official organizer and exclusive steaming platform for the 2025 Demacia Cup,marking the first time the tournament's hosting rights were granted to a third party.[15]
External links
References
- Kane Wu. Chinese antitrust regulator blocks Tencent's $5.3 bln video games merger Reuters, July 10, 2021, retrieved 2025-12-05^
- Form 20-F Huya Inc. www.sec.gov, April 17, 2025, retrieved 2025-12-05^
- 种昂. 虎牙直播改道上市 背后玄机引发业界猜疑 经济观察网, 1 February 2018, retrieved 27 February 2018^
- 虎牙直播将独播LCK2018春季赛 Techweb, 4 January 2018, retrieved 28 February 2018^
- Tyler Esguerra. Huya becomes newest exclusive LCS and LEC broadcaster in China Dot Esports, 20 January 2020, retrieved 20 January 2020^
- Trent Murray. Huya Secures Chinese Broadcast Rights for LCS, LEC The Esports Observer, 20 January 2020, retrieved 20 January 2020^
- Chinese game live-streaming site Huya makes NYSE debut - Xinhua www.xinhuanet.com, retrieved 2025-06-05^
- Zheping Huang. 'China's Twitch' Huya surpasses 100 million users despite content crackdown South China Morning Post, 7 January 2019, retrieved 18 May 2020^
- Leo Sun. Tencent Gains Control of Huya: What Does This Mean for JOYY? NASDAQ, retrieved 2020-06-30^
- Huya Investor Relations SEC Filings retrieved 2025-05-28^
- Government Bans 118 mobile apps which are prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of state and public order. Government of India, 2 September 2020, retrieved 2 September 2020^
- Sameer Yasir, Hari Kumar. India Bans 118 Chinese Apps as Indian Soldier Is Killed on Disputed Border The New York Times, 2020-09-02, retrieved 2022-04-27^
- Chinese antitrust regulator blocks Tencent's $5.3 billion video games merger CNBC, 2021-07-10, retrieved 2026-03-29^
- Tobias Seck. Huya Q4 Earnings Reflect a Strategic Shift Amid Revenue Transformation The Esports Advocate, 2025-03-18, retrieved 2025-06-05^
- Huya Serves as the Official Organizer and Exclusive Streaming Platform for the 2025 Demacia Cup PR Newswire, 2025-12-15, retrieved 2026-03-29^