QingTing FM
QingTing FM is a Shanghai-based consumer audio streaming platform founded in 2011 that aggregates internet radio, audiobooks, podcasts, and on-demand audio across 30+ categories for 450 million users in China, monetizing via freemium subscriptions, brand radio partnerships, and native advertising.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2011
- HeadquartersShanghai, China
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
What QingTing FM does
QingTing FM (蜻蜓FM) is a Shanghai-based consumer audio streaming platform founded in 2011 that aggregates internet radio broadcasts, audiobooks, podcasts, and on-demand audio content across 30+ categories. Operated under the legal entity Shanghai Microphone Culture Media Co., Ltd. (上海麦克风文化传媒有限公司), the platform combines a freemium consumer app with a two-sided marketplace model: it recruits individual content creators/hosts (主播入驻) to produce audio programming while simultaneously aggregating traditional broadcast content from 30+ regional radio partners across China, including Guangxi Radio News 910, Hebei Traffic Radio, Beijing News Radio, and Shanghai LoveRadio. The platform claims 450 million users as of the most recent disclosure and offers content spanning audio novels, radio drama, news, finance, education, children's programming, cross-talk (相声), storytelling, foreign language learning, and music.
The company monetizes through three primary streams: (1) a freemium consumer subscription model with ad-supported free tiers and premium content access; (2) brand radio partnerships (品牌电台) with sponsorship tiers (冠名/合作/定制), exemplified by the strategic "头号声活家" program with Haier Shunhuang and the "小奶牛牧牧" children's series with Friso; and (3) native advertising across the platform. Distribution is mobile-app-first (iOS/Android with QR-code promotion) complemented by web access at qtfm.cn and an Open Platform (开放平台) for creators and developers. The company holds the full stack of Chinese audio streaming regulatory licenses, including Information Network Audio-Visual Program Transmission Permit (No. 0922681), Network Publishing Service Permit, Publication Business Permit, and ICP Operating License.
The company has raised approximately $182.5M across six funding rounds from 2013 to 2021, with the largest single event being a ~$150.6M Series 3 in 2017 led by Baidu Ventures, National SME Development Fund, and We Capital. Notable investors include Sinovation Ventures, Matrix Partners China, Xiaomi (via Shunwei Capital), and Chengwei Capital. The most recent round in 2021 was led by ChineseAll with participation from Xiaomi, Puwei Capital, and Ruiyi Investment. The platform operates from Shanghai with 101-250 employees and is led by founder Zhang Qiang. No post-2021 funding events, acquisitions, or significant new product launches are evidenced in the source data.
QingTing FM firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- QingTing FM
- Legal name
- 上海麦克风文化传媒有限公司
- Website
- https://qingting.fm
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2011
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- QingTing FM is a Shanghai-based consumer audio streaming platform founded in 2011 that aggregates internet radio, audiobooks, podcasts, and on-demand audio across 30+ categories for 450 million users in China, monetizing via freemium subscriptions, brand radio partnerships, and native advertising.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
QingTing FM industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Online Audio Streaming
- NAICS
- Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (516210)
- SIC
- Radio Broadcasting Stations (4832)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Radio Streaming & Catch-Up Audio Platforms (MPAIADAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Internet Radio & Streaming Broadcast Stations (Simulcast/Online-only) (MPAIAEAE), Music & Audio Streaming Platforms (BPAMAJAC)
Keywords
Where QingTing FM is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Shanghai
- HQ country
- China
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices1 record
Markets served
QingTing FM business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Freemium Subscription: Platform operates with a freemium model offering both free and premium audio content. Users can access basic features for free with premium content available through subscription.
- Freemium: Free tier supported by advertising revenue, with premium subscription offerings for enhanced features and content
- Brand Radio Partnerships: Brand-sponsored radio channels and branded content programs (品牌电台) featuring sponsored programs from brands like Friso美素佳儿 and Haier海尔, generating revenue through brand partnerships and native advertising
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels4 records
QingTing FM product offering
Product offeringCore offering
QingTing FM operates a consumer audio streaming platform aggregating thousands of internet radio broadcasts, traditional radio stations, audiobooks, podcasts, and live audio content across 30+ categories including fiction, news, education, finance, entertainment, music, and children's programming. The platform serves 450 million+ users through mobile apps (iOS/Android) and web streaming at qtfm.cn, while also enabling third-party content creators and brand partners to publish audio programming via its host onboarding system (主播入驻) and Brand Radio (品牌电台) channels.
Product overview
Qingting FM (蜻蜓FM) operates as a unified audio streaming platform with approximately 450 million users, offering the core mobile/web application alongside an Open Platform (开放平台) for creators and developers. The platform aggregates content across 30+ categories including audio novels, radio drama, talk shows, education, children's content, music, and traditional radio broadcasts from partnered stations nationwide. Brand Radio (品牌电台) enables branded content channels for partners. The platform serves both individual listeners seeking on-demand audio content and creators looking to publish and monetize audio programming through the host onboarding (主播入驻) system.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- QingTing FM Audio Streaming Platform (蜻蜓FM) A consumer audio streaming platform aggregating thousands of internet radio broadcasts, audiobooks, podcasts, and live audio content across 30+ categories (fiction, news, finance, education, entertainment, music, children's programming, foreign languages, etc.). Delivered via iOS/Android mobile apps and web at qtfm.cn to 450 million+ users, with freemium access and premium subscription options.
- Brand Radio (品牌电台) A branded-content service enabling corporate partners to sponsor dedicated radio channels and audio programs on QingTing FM, reaching the platform's 450M+ user base through native advertising and community engagement campaigns. Examples include the 'Little Cow Mumum' (小奶牛牧牧) Friso children's audio series and the joint 'Head Voice Creator' (头号声活家) program with Haier Shunhuang.
Quantifiable outcome
- 450 million+ registered users
Companies that use QingTing FM
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
QingTing FM technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
QingTing FM partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Haier Shunhuang (海尔顺逛)coreStrategic partnership for the '头号声活家' (Head Voice Creator) program - a joint initiative combining Haier Shunhuang's community commerce platform with QingTing FM's audio content platform to create premium audio programs and community engagement campaigns. This was described as the '全球首届' (world's first) joint audio program between the two brands.
- Friso (美素佳儿)minorBrand radio partner featuring sponsored content - '小奶牛牧牧' (Little Cow Mumum) series featuring Friso's Dutch dairy farm brand story through children's audio content.
- Regional Radio Stations (地方电台)corePartnerships with radio broadcasters across China including Guangxi Radio News 910, Hebei Traffic Radio, Beijing News Radio, Shanghai LoveRadio, First Financial Radio, and 30+ other regional radio stations. These partnerships integrate traditional broadcast content into the streaming platform.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
QingTing FM competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Spotify: Spotify is the global leader in music and podcast streaming with a freemium model similar to QingTing FM. It serves as the international benchmark for audio streaming monetization, podcast exclusivity deals, and creator economics.
- iHeartMedia: iHeartMedia is the largest U.S. radio broadcaster with a significant digital streaming and podcasting presence. It represents the broadcast radio-to-digital transformation model that QingTing FM's regional station partnerships emulate.
- NetEase Cloud Music: NetEase Cloud Music is a Hong Kong-listed major music streaming platform that has expanded aggressively into long-form audio, podcasts, and audiobooks. It competes for listener time and content creators in adjacent audio categories.
- Tencent Music Entertainment: Tencent Music operates QQ Music, Kugou, and Kuwo — China's dominant music streaming platforms. While primarily music-focused, Tencent Music has expanded into podcasts and long-form audio, competing for the same advertising and subscription budgets.
Direct peers
- Acast: Acast is a global podcast hosting and monetization platform connecting creators with advertisers. It represents the creator-economy infrastructure peer, comparable to QingTing FM's host onboarding and brand partnership model.
- Lizhi FM: Lizhi FM (荔枝FM) is a NASDAQ-listed Chinese audio streaming platform originally focused on UGC radio/podcasts. It directly competes with QingTing FM in the user-generated and live audio broadcasting segments.
- Ximalaya FM: Ximalaya FM (喜马拉雅) is China's largest long-form audio platform offering audiobooks, podcasts, and radio streaming with similar monetization models. It is the most direct competitor to QingTing FM in the Chinese online audio space.
- Apple Podcasts: Apple Podcasts is the dominant global podcast directory and streaming platform. While serving different geographies, it operates a comparable aggregator model with podcast hosting, recommendations, and creator monetization.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
QingTing FM social profiles
Digital presenceQingTing FM financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
QingTing FM leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
QingTing FM funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds6 records
Investors13 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
QingTing FM M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about QingTing FM
What does QingTing FM do?
QingTing FM operates a consumer audio streaming platform aggregating thousands of internet radio broadcasts, traditional radio stations, audiobooks, podcasts, and live audio content across 30+ categories including fiction, news, education, finance, entertainment, music, and children's programming. The platform serves 450 million+ users through mobile apps (iOS/Android) and web streaming at qtfm.cn, while also enabling third-party content creators and brand partners to publish audio programming via its host onboarding system (主播入驻) and Brand Radio (品牌电台) channels.
Is QingTing FM a public or private company?
QingTing FM is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was QingTing FM founded?
QingTing FM was founded in 2011. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is QingTing FM based?
QingTing FM is headquartered in Shanghai, China, in the Asia region.
How does QingTing FM make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Freemium Subscription is the primary driver. The others are freemium and brand Radio Partnerships.
Who are QingTing FM's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Spotify, iHeartMedia, NetEase Cloud Music and Tencent Music Entertainment. Direct peers are Acast, Lizhi FM, Ximalaya FM and Apple Podcasts.
Does QingTing FM have an API?
No public API is recorded for QingTing FM.
What industry is QingTing FM in?
QingTing FM's product category is Online Audio Streaming. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAIADAJ, Radio Streaming & Catch-Up Audio Platforms, with a secondary code of MPAIAEAE, Internet Radio & Streaming Broadcast Stations (Simulcast/Online-only). Its NAICS code is 516210 and its SIC code is 4832.