BEIJING, May 31, 2012 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- The debut
episode of "Legendary Me," an online music talent show presented by
Youku Inc. (NYSE: YOKU), China's
leading Internet television company ("Youku"), in partnership with
China's top satellite TV stations
and music studios, has produced the show's first success story in
Zhou Ziyan, a 17 year-old singer-songwriter who is, as of
May 28, the most-searched person in
China according to Baidu's search
ranking indice. The first episode of "Legendary Me" has been viewed
a total of nearly 12 million times since its May 26 premiere.
Ms. Zhou, known to online viewers as "Classroom Girl," debuted
with "Zenyang" ("How"), an original song written by her, before a
panel of judges from leading satellite TV stations and record
studios. Her performance bowled over the judges, netting her 20
different offers -- one from each of the companies the judges
represent -- for television performance specials and recording
deals. Viewers responded no less warmly: clips of Ms. Zhou's
performance on the show have been viewed more than 5 million
times.
"One of the privileges of Youku's position as China's leading Internet television company is
that it grants us the opportunity to bring talented performers like
Zhou Ziyan to a wider audience," said Youku chief editor Zhu
Xiangyang. "'Legendary Me' is a great example of how new media can
act as an advocate for 'grassroots talents.' Youku is delighted to
see that Ms. Zhou gets the recognition that she deserves, and we
are proud to have played a part in her success."
"Legendary Me" (http://c.youku.com/niuren) is an online music
talent show produced by Youku with the goal of highlighting and
promoting "grassroots talents" from among the site's viewer base.
The show features a panel of judges from ten leading Chinese
satellite TV stations (Hunan Satellite, Dragon, Zhejiang Satellite,
Shandong Satellite, Anhui Satellite, Tianjin Satellite, Liaoning
Satellite, Jiangxi Satellite, Guangxi Satellite and Shenzhen
Satellite) and ten top record labels (Warner Music Group, Rock
Records and Tapes, Sony Music, Enlight Media, Typhoon Group, Seed,
Ocean Butterflies, H. Brothers
Music, Yuehua Music, and
Grand Entertainment), who are present during the show to offer
television performance deals or recording contracts to promising
singers on the spot.
Youku began searching for grassroots talents to appear on
"Legendary Me" in March, when it spotlighted a video from a 17
year-old high school student, Liu Meilin, who recorded herself
singing in a hallway. New episodes of the show, hosted by star
comedian Guo Degang, will appear on Youku each week before the show
concludes with a gala event in July.
About Youku
Youku Inc. is China's leading
Internet television company. Our Internet television platform
enables users to search, view and share high-quality video content
quickly and easily across multiple devices. Youku, which stands for
"what's best and what's cool" in Chinese, is the most recognized
online video brand in China.
Youku's American depositary shares, each representing 18 of our
Class A ordinary shares, are traded on NYSE under the symbol
"YOKU."
For more information, please
contact:
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Media Relations:
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Jean Shao
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Director, International
Communications
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Youku Inc.
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Tel: +86-10-5885-1881
x7128
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Email: shaodan@youku.com
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Investor Relations:
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Ryan Cheung
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Corporate Finance
Director
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Youku Inc.
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Tel: +86-10-5885-1881
x6090
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Email: ryan.cheung@youku.com
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SOURCE Youku Inc.