What Zhangyue Technology does

Zhangyue Technology Co., Ltd. (掌阅科技股份有限公司, 603533.SH) is a Beijing-headquartered, publicly listed digital content company founded in September 2008 and listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange since September 2017. The company operates a multi-modal content production and operations platform built on three pillars: digital reading, IP derivative development (principally short drama), and AI technology. Core products include the Zhangyue App (掌阅App) and Dejian Novel (得间小说) for consumer digital reading; Zhangyue Selected (掌阅精选) for enterprise reading services; Sukandrama App (速看短剧APP), WeChat mini-programs, and branded Douyin channels (Zaochajuqing, Qingningjuchang, Likan, Ayou, Bingcheng) for short drama distribution; four premium short drama sub-brands (Jingyuan, Gaobai, Qiandeng Huishi, Xuanzun Wanxiang); and a suite of AI tools including Yue Ai Liao (阅爱聊, a conversational reading AI), PopoMint (泡漫, an AI manga-drama generation platform), CreMoMo (a personality-based AI companion toy), Zhangyue Haoxue (an enterprise learning platform), and the proprietary Zhangyue Translation Ape translation tool.

The company monetizes through multiple revenue streams: digital reading subscriptions (VIP monthly/annual cards with access to 200,000+ e-books), short drama revenue across copyright licensing, self-production, co-production, paid distribution, and official distribution models, overseas subscription revenue from iReader International (150+ countries) and iDrama (English/Japanese/Korean), hardware sales of iReader e-reader devices, IP licensing for film/anime/games, and enterprise services. Distribution occurs through proprietary apps, WeChat mini-programs, Douyin channels, the international iReader and iDrama platforms, and direct sales for enterprise services. Short drama is now described as the company's largest business segment, with AI products representing a strategic growth pillar. Content is sourced from major Chinese publishers (Shanghai Translation, Huacheng, Tiandi) and an original literature incubation system (Zhangyue Literature), with international content partnerships including Penguin Random House. The company is wholly owner of Beijing Dejian Technology Co., Ltd. (北京得间科技有限公司), which is also listed in the Beijing Private Enterprise Cultural Industry Top 100. Customer base spans individual general readers, young short drama audiences, enterprises (via Zhangyue Selected and Zhangyue Haoxue), overseas readers in 150+ countries, and publishers/copyright holders; the go-to-market is predominantly self-serve, freemium-driven, and product-led with direct sales overlay for B2B.

Name

Zhangyue Technology

Legal name

掌阅科技股份有限公司

Website

https://zhangyue.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Zhangyue Technology is a Beijing-based, publicly listed (603533.SH) digital content company operating a multi-modal platform spanning digital reading apps, short drama production and distribution, AI tools, and iReader e-reader hardware, serving individual readers, short drama viewers, enterprise customers, and overseas users across 150+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Digital Reading and Content Publishing

NAICS

Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (516210), Software Publishers (513210)

SIC

Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731), Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812)

akta.pro primary industry

eBook & Digital Reading Platforms (BPAMAJAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Digital Comics, Manga & Serialized Reading Platforms (BPAMAJAJ), OTT Platform CMS & Content Operations (Catalog, Scheduling, Workflows) (MPAHAJAA)

Keywords

• Digital reading platform
• Short drama production
• AI content generation
• E-reader devices
• IP derivative development

Headquarters

HQ city

Beijing

HQ country

China

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Digital Reading Subscription and Content Revenue: Revenue from digital reading services through 掌阅App, 掌阅精选, 得间小说 and other reading platforms. Users pay for premium content, VIP memberships, and e-books. The platform covers publishing content, original literature, audiobooks, comics and magazines.
2. Short Drama Business: Short drama has become the company's largest business segment. Revenue comes from copyright, self-production, co-production, paid distribution, and official distribution models covering urban, fantasy, campus, mystery, historical, romance, fantasy genres. The company operates 速看短剧APP and mini-programs including 子诗短剧 and 薏米短剧, as well as Douyin channels.
3. Overseas Business (iReader and iDrama): Revenue from overseas reading platform iReader covering 150+ countries and short drama platform iDrama launched in 2025 with English, Japanese, and Korean language versions. International revenue from selling global copyright books and supporting multiple languages.
4. IP Rights and Derivative Development: Revenue from IP licensing including film, anime, games and other IP copyright cooperation. The company develops content through 掌阅文学 ecosystem, signing and cultivating original authors for derivative value.
5. iReader E-Reader Hardware Sales: Revenue from selling iReader electronic paper reading devices including various models such as iReader Light, Smart, Smart X series, and color e-ink screen devices.
6. Enterprise Services (掌阅精选): Enterprise reading solutions and corporate membership services including electronic library cooperation, employee reading programs, and enterprise training content.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Zhangyue Technology operates a multi-modal content production and distribution platform built on digital reading, IP derivative development, and AI technology. The company produces and distributes e-books, audiobooks, comics, original web novels, and short dramas through proprietary mobile apps (Zhangyue App, Sukand Short Drama, Dejian Novel), web platforms, overseas platforms (iReader International, iDrama), and sells iReader e-ink hardware devices. Short drama has become its largest business segment, and the company also operates enterprise reading services, IP licensing, and AI-driven tools such as Yue Ai Liao chatbot, PopoMint AI manga generation platform, and Zhangyue Translation Ape.

Product overview

Zhangyue Technology (掌阅科技) is a multi-modal content production and operation platform based on digital reading, IP derivative development as core, and AI technology as support. The product portfolio includes: reading platforms (掌阅APP, 掌阅精选, 得间小说App, 掌阅动漫), short drama platforms (速看短剧APP, iDrama), AI-powered tools (泡漫/PopoMint, 掌阅好学, CreMoMo, 掌阅翻译猿, 阅爱聊, 掌阅AI辅助阅读), e-readers (iReader series), and overseas platforms (iReader International). The company operates an integrated 'IP + tool + distribution' model, with short drama as its largest business segment and AI-powered products driving new growth. Cultural globalization is supported through iReader overseas platform and iDrama international short drama platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• 镜渊剧场: 短剧厂牌，悬疑题材方向 (Short drama brand, suspense genre direction).
• 告白剧场
• 千灯绘世
• 玄尊万象
• 掌阅公版
• 掌阅翻译猿
• 掌阅作书匠
• 阅爱聊
• 掌阅AI辅助阅读

Products and services

• Zhangyue App (掌阅APP) Main digital reading mobile application for individual consumers offering publishing content, original literature, audiobooks, comics and magazines with industry-leading content coverage and AI-assisted reading features.
• Zhangyue Jingxuan (掌阅精选) Enterprise reading service providing corporate employees with digital reading resources, including enterprise reading rooms, employee reading programs and institutional membership solutions.
• Dejian Novel App (得间小说App) Free fiction reading application under Zhangyue's product portfolio offering original online literature content to consumers.
• Zhangyue Dongman (掌阅动漫) Comics and manga platform providing digital manga content as part of Zhangyue's reading ecosystem for individual readers.
• Sukand Short Drama APP (速看短剧APP) Self-operated short drama application providing short-form video content including self-produced, co-produced and licensed dramas for young consumer audiences.
• iReader International First Chinese digital reading brand to expand overseas, covering 150+ countries and regions with support for multiple languages including Chinese, English, French, Spanish, Thai and Korean.
• iDrama Overseas short drama platform launched with English, Japanese and Korean versions; rapidly growing as a platform for Chinese short drama overseas expansion.
• Zhangyue Translation Ape (掌阅翻译猿) Collaborative translation platform and tool developed by Zhangyue for translating web novels, short dramas and manga content to support overseas expansion.
• PopoMint (泡漫) AI manga drama one-stop generation platform launched in February 2026, providing full-process AI toolchain for creating anime-style short dramas with IP+tools+distribution integrated model.
• Zhangyue Haoxue (掌阅好学) Corporate learning platform launched in May 2026 integrating quality reading, systematic courses and intelligent learning management for enterprise training programs.
• CreMoMo Personalized AI character toy launched in June 2026, providing interactive and growable digital life entity for cross-dimension companionship experiences.
• Yue Ai Liao (阅爱聊) First dialogue-based AI application in the domestic reading industry, using conversational AI for interactive reading experiences and content engagement.
• iReader E-Reader Devices E-ink reading devices including various models such as iReader Smart, Light, Ocean series, and color e-ink screen readers for individual consumers.

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability9 records

Feature9 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Seedance 2.0 / ByteDancecoreTechnology or Integration · 1 April 2026Zhangyue's 泡漫 (PopoMint) platform integrated Seedance 2.0 overseas version, enabling AI comic drama overseas content production. This technology integration enables AI漫剧 production capabilities.
• 企鹅兰登 (Penguin Random House)coreOthers · 1 June 2023Zhangyue announced strategic cooperation with international publishing giant Penguin Random House in June 2023 for full-scale cooperation on English original e-book copyright. This partnership allows Zhangyue to satisfy readers' foreign original book reading needs and enhance the company's international content offerings.
• 书香中国·北京阅读季领导小组coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023The 全民阅读·文化筑梦 public welfare project was guided by the Xianshu Zhongguo · Beijing Reading Season Leading Group, ensuring proper implementation and扩大阅读影响力.
• 江西人民出版社coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2021Zhangyue co-hosted the '2021 全民阅读走进井冈山活动' (2021 National Reading into Jinggangshan Activity) with Jiangxi People's Publishing House, donating e-readers and VIP cards to schools in the revolutionary base area.
• 中国音像与数字出版协会minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Zhangyue participated in a public welfare activity initiated by China Audio-Video and Digital Publishing Association, donating e-readers to schools in Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture to help build electronic reading rooms.
• 厦门航空、联合国minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2019Zhangyue partnered with Xiamen Air and the United Nations to create a reading-themed joint Dream Flight on World Reading Day 2019, simultaneously conducting reading activities at airports in Xiamen, Fuzhou, and Hangzhou.
• 中国铁路西安局集团有限公司、西安交通大学minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2019Zhangyue partnered with China Railway Xi'an Bureau Group and Xi'an Jiaotong University to create China's first reading-themed high-speed rail train and reading-themed high-speed rail station.
• 中国铁路郑州局集团有限公司minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2019Zhangyue partnered with China Railway Zhengzhou Bureau Group to create China's first reading-themed high-speed rail station.
• 新华社—中国经济信息社有限公司北京分公司coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Zhangyue co-hosted the 全民阅读·文化筑梦 public welfare project with Xinhua News Agency - China Economic Information Service Beijing Branch, donating reading rooms to impoverished areas and promoting national reading.
• Publishers and Copyright Institutions (上海译文出版社, 花城出版社, 天地出版社, 北京日知图书有限公司, etc.)coreOthers · 1 January 2015Zhangyue has established long-term stable digital copyright cooperation with major publishers and copyright institutions, including Shanghai Translation Publishing House, Huacheng Publishing House, Tiandi Publishing House, and Beijing Rizhi Book Co., to provide readers with new books as soon as possible.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• China Literature Group (阅文集团): China Literature Group, majority-owned by Tencent, is the largest Chinese digital reading and online literature platform operating Qidian and other serialized content brands. Directly comparable to Zhangyue's 掌阅 and 得间小说 apps in offering publishing, web novels, and audiobooks to Chinese readers.
• WeChat Reading (微信读书): WeChat Reading is Tencent's social-first digital reading platform tightly integrated with the WeChat ecosystem. Competes directly with Zhangyue App in Chinese digital reading, offering e-books, audiobooks, and subscription-based content access.
• Kuaishou (快手): Kuaishou is a major short video platform and one of the leading Chinese short drama distribution and production companies. Directly comparable to Zhangyue's 速看短剧APP and Douyin-based short drama operations as both a content producer and distribution channel.
• Webnovel (Novel Updates): Webnovel, operated by Tencent's China Literature, is one of the largest overseas Chinese web novel and translated content platforms covering 200+ countries. Directly comparable to Zhangyue's iReader International platform for distributing Chinese serialized content to global readers.
• Rakuten Kobo: Rakuten Kobo is a leading e-reader hardware and e-book platform with strong international presence. Directly comparable to iReader in selling e-ink reading devices and operating an integrated e-bookstore across multiple countries.
• Dreame (Stary): Dreame is a major overseas Chinese web novel and serialized reading platform owned by Starlive. Comparable to Zhangyue's iReader International in distributing Chinese-language and translated romance/fantasy web novels to global readers across multiple languages.
• Onyx BOOX: Onyx BOOX is a leading e-ink e-reader manufacturer competing in the same hardware category as iReader devices. Both offer Android-based e-ink tablets and readers targeting book enthusiasts and digital reading use cases.

Broad incumbents

• ByteDance (字节跳动): ByteDance operates Douyin (Chinese TikTok), which is both a major short drama distribution channel for Zhangyue and a strategic investor. Comparable as a broad incumbent in short drama content, AI-driven content generation (Seedance), and digital content platforms overlapping with Zhangyue's multi-modal content strategy.
• Amazon Kindle: Amazon Kindle is the dominant global e-ink e-reader and e-book ecosystem, comparable to Zhangyue's iReader hardware business and e-book distribution model. Both compete in e-reader hardware sales and digital book marketplaces.

Emerging players

• Bilibili (哔哩哔哩): Bilibili operates a major Chinese content platform with significant manga, comics, and short-form video content. Comparable as an emerging player in the Chinese digital content ecosystem with overlap in manga/comics (掌阅动漫), video content, and serialized reading.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors4 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments3 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Zhangyue Technology