The 2025 Spring Festival Gala, hosted by China Media Group (CMG), has shattered previous records by reaching an astonishing 16.8 billion views across all media platforms, marking an 18.31% increase from last year. Notably, mobile viewership soared to 372 million, up 52.46% year-on-year.
The Gala set a new benchmark for live streaming on domestic new media platforms, amassing 2.13 billion total views by 8 a.m. on Wednesday, a 26.04% rise from the previous year. The vertical screen livestreaming, now in its fourth year, attracted 530 million views, up 25.3% from last year, engaging 300 million users, a 16.73% increase.
This year, CMG introduced accessibility features for visually and hearing-impaired viewers. Visually impaired audiences could tune into CMG’s live audio broadcast, while hearing-impaired viewers enjoyed the Gala with customized accessibility options on CMG’s news app and video platforms. The barrier-free broadcasting reached 58.97 million viewers.
The 2025 Gala not only celebrated Chinese traditions but also set new standards in audience engagement. It dominated China’s social media on the day, generating 27 billion topic reads and 1,136 trending searches. Highlights included the immersive design of the program Pillars and Beams, featuring a breathtaking aerial journey over Beijing’s central axis, and the ballet performance A Beautiful Lady, which reimagined traditional Chinese culture with cinematic elegance.
Viewers praised the Gala’s sub-venue performances, showcasing the unique charm of four different cities, sparking widespread enthusiasm for travel and cultural exploration. The event delivered a spectacular cultural feast, blending traditional charm with cutting-edge technology, and showcased a vibrant celebration of the Chinese New Year.
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2025 Spring Festival Gala breaks records with 16.8 bln global views
cgtn.com