CMG’s 2025 Spring Festival Gala Breaks Global Broadcast Records
The China Media Group’s (CMG) 2025 Spring Festival Gala, aired on January 28, has set new global records, captivating audiences around the world. As the first gala following the Spring Festival’s inclusion in UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list, CMG used an expansive international media network to share the vibrant Chinese New Year celebrations globally.
By January 29, the gala’s international reach had hit unprecedented milestones. CMG broadcast the event in 82 languages—14 more than last year—making it accessible from Southeast Asia to South America. Over 3,100 media partners, including major networks from the United States, Japan’s Niconico, Russia’s VK, and Italy’s Alma TV, synchronized their coverage, amplifying the gala’s global presence.
A week-long promotional campaign by international media attracted over 800 million viewers worldwide. Japan’s Niconico marked a decade-long partnership with CMG by streaming the gala live with Japanese translation, drawing 101,000 concurrent viewers. Audience engagement soared, with CMG’s international arm, CGTN, reporting 1.738 billion content reads and 587 million video views. CGTN also launched the “Snake Year Dance Fun” event on social media, engaging users from over 70 countries.
The gala’s spectacular performances illuminated more than 3,500 public screens in 136 cities across the globe, including iconic locations like New York’s Times Square and Moscow’s Red Square. This year’s screen count increased by 223, expanding coverage to 87 countries.
For millions of Chinese families, watching the Spring Festival Gala on Chinese New Year’s Eve is a cherished tradition symbolizing unity and joy. This year, the gala also served as a bridge for cross-cultural exchange. Many viewers on social media platforms like YouTube commented on gaining a deeper understanding of China and its rich cultural heritage through the event.
