Youku
Product brand
UnclaimedA Chinese online video and subscription streaming platform operated by Alibaba Group.
Last updated October 18, 2026
Overview
Youku is a Chinese online video and subscription video-on-demand platform operated by Alibaba Group. It began as one of China's early major video-sharing websites, initially combining user-uploaded material with licensed programming, and later developed into a professionally programmed streaming service offering television series, films, variety programs, documentaries, anime, sports-related content, and original productions. The service is distributed through its website, mobile applications, connected devices, and other digital channels serving audiences in mainland China. The business was founded by Victor Koo, also known as Gu Yongqiang, a former president of the Chinese internet portal Sohu. A beta version appeared in 2003 and the site was formally launched later that year, while the company behind the service was established in 2006. Early growth was supported by venture capital and private-equity funding. Youku built a strong position in China's online-video market by combining a large audience with partnerships for professionally produced programming. It also pursued distribution and technology relationships, including cooperation with Myspace China and Mozilla's China edition of Firefox. In March 2012, Youku agreed to merge with Tudou, another leading Chinese video site, in a stock-for-stock transaction. The resulting company was named Youku Tudou Inc. The merger combined two substantial content libraries and user bases, although the combined business faced intensifying competition from services such as iQiyi and Tencent Video. Youku had previously listed on the New York Stock Exchange in 2010 under the ticker YOKU. Alibaba subsequently invested in the company and completed its acquisition of the remaining public shares in 2015, bringing Youku into Alibaba's digital-media portfolio and ending its status as an independent listed company. Under Alibaba, Youku increasingly emphasized licensed and professionally produced content rather than the user-generated-video model associated with its early years. Its role also became connected with Alibaba's wider advertising, commerce, data, and entertainment ecosystem. The platform offers free and advertising-supported viewing alongside paid membership, with premium access providing additional programming and related benefits. Like other Chinese streaming services, it operates within a tightly regulated online-content environment and competes for exclusive rights, original productions, subscribers, viewing time, and advertising budgets. Youku remains one of China's established streaming brands. Publicly reported audience measures have placed it among the country's largest online-video services, although its relative market position has fluctuated as iQiyi, Tencent Video, Bilibili, Douyin, and other platforms expanded. Its current identity is principally that of an Alibaba-owned streaming and digital-content service rather than an open video-hosting website.
History
Youku emerged during the first major expansion of online video in China. Victor Koo, a former Sohu executive, founded the service and supported its early development with capital raised through his investment network. A beta version was made available in 2003 before the formal launch of the website. The company raised venture funding during the late 2000s, including a reported $25 million round in 2007, and announced cumulative private-equity financing of $110 million in 2009. Investors cited in historical accounts include Brookside Capital, Sutter Hill Ventures, Maverick Capital, and Chengwei Ventures. The original service was associated with user-uploaded video, but China's regulatory environment and the commercial appeal of professionally produced programming led Youku toward licensed content. By the time of its public offering, the company had assembled programming from a large network of content partners. It also formed distribution and technology partnerships, including a 2008 relationship with Myspace China and an arrangement to serve as the online-video provider embedded in the China edition of Mozilla Firefox. In 2010, Youku and Tudou announced a cross-licensing and video-exchange initiative intended to improve the availability of professionally produced programming on both platforms. Youku listed on the New York Stock Exchange in December 2010 under the symbol YOKU. The flotation gave the company access to public capital while it continued investing heavily in content and audience growth. Competition nevertheless intensified. iQiyi, Tencent Video, Sohu Video, LeTV, PPTV, and other platforms competed for licensing rights and viewers. In 2012, Youku and Tudou announced a stock-for-stock merger. The combined company became Youku Tudou Inc., with Victor Koo serving as chairman. The transaction created one of China's largest online-video groups, but integration and content costs remained significant challenges. Alibaba first acquired a substantial stake in Youku Tudou and later launched an all-cash offer for the remaining shares. The acquisition was completed in 2015, and Youku became part of Alibaba's digital-media and entertainment activities. Alibaba connected the service more closely with its advertising and consumer ecosystem, while Youku continued developing premium subscriptions, licensed programming, and original productions. The service's strategic direction moved further away from an open user-generated platform and toward a curated streaming model. The Alibaba era has included both organizational change and regulatory pressure. In 2018, president Yang Weidong left the business in circumstances related to a police investigation into alleged economic misconduct. In 2020, the Youku mobile app was among Chinese applications blocked by India during a period of heightened bilateral tensions. Despite changing competitive conditions, Youku has remained an active Chinese streaming brand, with its business shaped by content licensing, production investment, membership, advertising, platform distribution, and Alibaba's broader media strategy.
- 2020
Application blocked in India
[1]India included Youku among Chinese applications blocked during a period of bilateral tensions.
- 2018
President leaves amid investigation
[1]President Yang Weidong departed after the company disclosed circumstances involving a police investigation.
- 2015
Alibaba acquisition completed
[1]Alibaba took full ownership of Youku Tudou, ending the company's independent public-market status.
- 2012
Merger with Tudou announced
[1]Youku and Tudou agreed to combine in a stock-for-stock transaction, forming Youku Tudou Inc.
- 2010
New York Stock Exchange listing
[1]Youku began trading publicly on the NYSE under the symbol YOKU.
- 2007
Venture financing supports expansion
[1]The company raised a reported $25 million in venture capital as it expanded its online-video operation.
- 2006
Youku company established
[1]The company associated with the Youku brand was founded by Victor Koo.
- 2003
Beta service introduced
[1]A limited beta version of the video service became available before the formal public launch.
Products and positioning
A mainstream Chinese streaming platform combining licensed television, films, variety programming, anime, and original content with Alibaba's digital-media ecosystem.
Online video service · 2003
Youku video platform
The core Youku service provides on-demand access to Chinese and international films, television series, variety shows, animation, documentaries, and other professionally produced programming. It developed from an early video-sharing site into a curated streaming platform with advertising-supported and premium viewing experiences.
Subscription service
Youku membership
Youku membership provides paid access to premium programming and other subscriber benefits. It forms part of the platform's subscription business alongside advertising and other content monetization arrangements.
Mobile application
Youku mobile application
The mobile application extends Youku's streaming service to smartphones and other mobile devices, supporting on-demand viewing, account access, and membership-related functions in supported markets.
Original content
Youku original productions
Youku commissions, produces, or distributes original and exclusive programs across drama, variety, documentary, and other entertainment categories. Original content is used to differentiate the service and attract both viewers and subscribers.
Controversies
2019
Youku sues Qihoo and Sogou over alleged unfair competition
Youku Information Technology (Beijing) sued Beijing Qihoo Technology and Beijing Sogou Information Service, alleging unfair competition involving the use of "Youku" as a search keyword to promote their app market. Youku sought an order to stop the conduct and compensation; the article says the Haidian court accepted the case.
2018
Yang Weidong investigation
Youku disclosed that president Yang Weidong had left the company in connection with a police investigation concerning alleged efforts to obtain improper economic benefits.
Marketing campaigns
- 2010Video broadcasting exchange network
China
Youku and Tudou created a cross-licensing and video-exchange arrangement for professionally produced programming.
Outcome. The initiative improved the potential reach of licensed content across both services and preceded their later merger.
- 2008Myspace China partnership
China
Youku partnered with Myspace China as part of its early distribution and online-video expansion strategy.
Outcome. The partnership broadened Youku's early platform relationships.
Brand decisions
2019
Emphasize professional programmingStrategyBackground
The Chinese video market increasingly rewarded exclusive licensed and original programming, while user-generated video became more strongly associated with other platforms.
Action taken
Youku continued moving away from open user-uploaded video toward professionally produced, licensed, and commissioned content.
Aftermath
The brand became more comparable to a curated subscription streaming service than to its original video-sharing format.
2015
Sell the company to AlibabaM&ABackground
Competition from iQiyi and other streaming platforms increased the need for scale, content investment, and integration with a larger digital ecosystem.
Action taken
Alibaba acquired the remaining shares of Youku Tudou after previously purchasing a significant minority stake.
Aftermath
Youku became an Alibaba subsidiary and shifted further toward a professionally programmed streaming model.
2012
Combine with TudouM&ABackground
Youku and Tudou were two of China's largest online-video services, but the market was becoming increasingly competitive and content-intensive.
Action taken
The companies agreed to a stock-for-stock merger and operated under the Youku Tudou name.
Aftermath
The combination created a larger video group and later became the platform Alibaba acquired.
Recent events
- 2020
Youku app blocked in India[1]
Regulation
India blocked Youku's mobile application together with numerous other Chinese applications amid heightened tensions between China and India.
- 2015
Youku completes Alibaba acquisition and leaves the public market[1]
M&A
Alibaba completed its acquisition of Youku Tudou, taking the streaming business private and making it an Alibaba subsidiary.
- 2012
Youku and Tudou announce a merger[1]
M&A
The two major Chinese online-video companies announced a stock-for-stock combination that created Youku Tudou Inc.
Sources9 sources
- 1Youku - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
- 2Official Youku websiteyouku.com
- 3Yang Weidong investigationycpai.ycwb.com
- 4Youku sues Qihoo and Sogou over alleged unfair competitionsc.stock.cnfol.com
- 5曼联宣布与阿里巴巴达成合作 上线优酷和天猫finance.sina.com.cn
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