China Global Television Network
China Global Television Network (CGTN) is the international broadcasting arm of state-owned China Media Group, operating multi-language TV channels, digital platforms, and FAST channels reaching 160+ countries and 600+ million followers. It delivers news, cultural, and documentary content to global audiences across 60+ languages, funded primarily through state appropriation.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersBeijing, China
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What China Global Television Network does
China Global Television Network (CGTN) is the international broadcasting arm of China Media Group (CMG), China's paramount state media conglomerate, launched on December 31, 2016 to consolidate and replace CCTV's international channels. Headquartered in Beijing with regional production centers in Nairobi, Washington D.C., and London, CGTN operates 24-hour television channels in English, Spanish, French, Arabic, and Russian, and distributes content digitally in over 60 languages through CGTN.com, mobile applications (iOS, Android, Apple TV), and social media platforms (YouTube, Facebook, X, Weibo) reaching more than 600 million combined followers. Its satellite television channels are available in over 160 countries and regions.
The organization's product portfolio spans core TV channels, a dedicated documentary channel, the Global Video News Agency (CCTV+), CGTN Radio, and a family of specialized FAST channels (GlobalBiz TV for financial news, China Travel for tourism, Discovery China for Chinese modernization) launched in November 2025 to reach approximately 200 million viewers globally. The CGTN Creative Lab drives innovation in AI-generated content, including 3D animated shorts and AI-enhanced cultural programming. Content is free-to-access, and monetization flows through state budget appropriation via CMG, supplemented by content licensing, co-production arrangements, and FAST channel advertising (via partners such as iKOMG and Amasian TV). The network's customer base is global international audiences seeking Chinese and global news perspectives, segmented by geography and language, with specialized content verticals serving viewers with targeted interests in finance, travel, and Chinese development.
China Global Television Network firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- China Global Television Network
- Legal name
- China Global Television Network
- Website
- https://cgtn.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- China Global Television Network (CGTN) is the international broadcasting arm of state-owned China Media Group, operating multi-language TV channels, digital platforms, and FAST channels reaching 160+ countries and 600+ million followers. It delivers news, cultural, and documentary content to global audiences across 60+ languages, funded primarily through state appropriation.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
China Global Television Network industry classification
Industry- Product category
- International Broadcasting
- NAICS
- Television Broadcasting Stations (51612), Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (5162), Broadcasting and Content Providers (516)
- SIC
- Television Broadcasting Stations (4833)
- akta.pro primary industry
- International TV Broadcasters (Free-to-Air/Satellite/Cable) (MPABAEAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) Network/Studio Streaming Channels (MPABAHAG), News & Business Information Cable Networks (MPABAFAE)
Keywords
Where China Global Television Network is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Beijing
- HQ country
- China
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices4 records
Markets served
China Global Television Network business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Broadcasting and Content Distribution: State-funded international media organization providing news and entertainment content to global audiences through television channels, digital platforms, and partnerships with international broadcasters and streaming platforms
- International Media Services: Content licensing, co-production arrangements, and media services to international partners including FAST channel distribution and program licensing
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
China Global Television Network product offering
Product offeringCore offering
China Global Television Network (CGTN) is the international broadcasting arm of China Media Group, producing and distributing multi-language news, documentary, and current affairs content via satellite TV channels available in more than 160 countries, the CGTN.com digital platform, mobile apps, social media, and FAST streaming channels. It also operates the Global Video News Agency (CCTV+) supplying video news services to media outlets worldwide.
Product overview
CGTN is an international media organization launched on December 31, 2016, operating as a platform of multiple products. The core offerings include television channels broadcasting in five languages (English, Spanish, French, Arabic, Russian), the CGTN Digital platform accessible via website and mobile apps, and the CGTN Documentary Channel. CGTN has expanded into specialized FAST channels including GlobalBiz TV (financial news), China Travel, and Discovery China. The network's Creative Lab division produces AI-enhanced content and interactive experiences. CGTN reaches over 600 million digital followers and 200 million FAST viewers, with TV channels available in more than 160 countries and regions. The Apple TV app provides additional mobile access, while CGTN Radio and the Global Video News Agency round out the multimedia portfolio.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- GlobalBiz TV: Financial news channel focusing on global business coverage
- China Travel
- Discovering China
- CCTV+
Products and services
- CGTN TV Channels Multi-language 24-hour television channels broadcasting news and current affairs to international audiences in English, Spanish, French, Arabic, and Russian, available in over 160 countries and regions via satellite.
- CGTN Digital Platform CGTN.com website and mobile applications delivering news articles, live video, and multimedia content with more than 600 million followers across digital and social media platforms including YouTube, Facebook, X, and Weibo.
- CGTN Documentary Channel
- GlobalBiz TV FAST (Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV) financial news channel providing global business and economic news coverage as part of CGTN's specialized channel portfolio.
- China Travel Channel Specialized FAST channel focused on Chinese tourism content, showcasing China's landscapes, attractions, and travel destinations to international audiences.
- Discovery China Channel FAST channel dedicated to exploring China's economic development, history, and cultural dynamics for international viewers.
- Global Video News Agency (CCTV+) Video news agency supplying international video news services, footage, and content to media outlets worldwide.
- CGTN Radio Audio broadcasting service complementing CGTN's television and digital news offerings across multiple languages.
- CGTN Apple TV App
Quantifiable outcome
- 200 million global viewers for FAST channel launch in November 2025
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use China Global Television Network
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
China Global Television Network technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability6 records
Feature5 records
China Global Television Network partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core, regional and flagship.
- China Southern AirlinesminorChina Southern Airlines provided aviation connectivity for a familiarization tour featuring Yunnan's cultural tourism attractions, with CGTN providing international media coverage.
- Otherside TravelminorDestination services provider for Yunnan's cultural tourism familiarization tour, with CGTN providing international media coverage.
- iKOMG (iKO Media Group)coreiKOMG partnered with CGTN to distribute three of its channels (GlobalBiz TV, China Travel, and Discovery China) across multiple digital platforms via satellite and OTT services, reaching diverse international audiences.
- Air China+minorAir China's partnership platform includes collaborations with CCTV and CGTN for cultural content integration with aviation services and the PhoenixMiles loyalty program.
- European Cultural PartnersregionalPartnership for the 2025 Classical Chinese Poetry Contest debuting in the U.K. and European countries, integrating AI-generated imagery and new contest formats to promote Chinese poetry and foster cultural dialogue.
- Global South Media Partners MechanismcoreCCTV+ and CGTN participated in launching the Global South Media Partners Mechanism at the 13th Global Video Media Forum in Xi'an, a platform promoting collaboration, content sharing, and dialogue among media outlets from the Global South.
- Amasian TVcoreAmasian TV partnered with CGTN to launch three new channels (Global Biz, China Travel, and Discovering China) aimed at showcasing China's economic and cultural dynamics to North American viewers, providing in-depth coverage of China's development, landscapes, and history.
- China Media Group (CMG)flagshipCGTN, as the international arm of China Media Group (CMG), launched three specialized FAST channels as part of CMG's international communications strategy, reaching nearly 200 million global viewers.
- Kazakhstan Television and Radio ComplexregionalCMG participates in Kazakhstan's Silk Way Star transnational music competition as part of a coordinated co-production framework involving a six-language broadcasting structure and hybrid jury-audience evaluation system.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
China Global Television Network competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Deutsche Welle (DW): German publicly-funded international broadcaster offering news in 30 languages via TV, online and radio - comparable to CGTN as a public-broadcaster international news network with multi-language digital platforms.
- NHK World-Japan: Japanese public broadcaster's international English/Japanese TV and digital service - comparable to CGTN as a state/public-funded Asian international broadcaster targeting global audiences with cultural and news content.
- Al Jazeera English: State-funded multi-language international TV and digital news broadcaster headquartered in Qatar, operating English/Arabic/Spanish channels and a major digital platform - directly comparable to CGTN's mandate, multi-language model, and global distribution footprint.
- Arirang TV: Korean state-funded international English broadcaster focused on Korean culture and news - comparable to CGTN in being an Asian state-funded international broadcaster promoting cultural content and national perspective globally.
- BBC World Service: Publicly-funded UK-based international broadcaster delivering news in 40+ languages across TV, radio and digital - directly comparable to CGTN in mission, multi-language breadth, and global TV/radio/digital distribution.
- RT (Russia Today): Russian state-funded international multilingual news network broadcasting in English, Spanish, French, Arabic and German - the most direct comparator to CGTN in terms of state-ownership, multi-language model, and exposure to Western regulatory restrictions.
- France 24: French state-funded international news channel broadcasting in French, English, Spanish and Arabic - closely mirrors CGTN's combination of state backing, multi-language TV channels, and digital-first distribution model.
Broad incumbents
- CNN International: Established commercial international news network reaching global audiences via TV and digital - comparable to CGTN in international TV news distribution, but operates on a broader commercial subscription/advertising model rather than state mandate.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
China Global Television Network social profiles
Digital presenceChina Global Television Network financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
China Global Television Network leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
China Global Television Network subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
China Global Television Network funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
China Global Television Network 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 China Global Television Network
What does China Global Television Network do?
China Global Television Network (CGTN) is the international broadcasting arm of China Media Group, producing and distributing multi-language news, documentary, and current affairs content via satellite TV channels available in more than 160 countries, the CGTN.com digital platform, mobile apps, social media, and FAST streaming channels. It also operates the Global Video News Agency (CCTV+) supplying video news services to media outlets worldwide.
Is China Global Television Network a public or private company?
China Global Television Network is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was China Global Television Network founded?
China Global Television Network was founded in 2016. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is China Global Television Network based?
China Global Television Network is headquartered in Beijing, China, in the Asia region.
How does China Global Television Network make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Broadcasting and Content Distribution is the primary driver. The others are international Media Services.
Who are China Global Television Network's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Deutsche Welle (DW), NHK World-Japan, Al Jazeera English, Arirang TV, BBC World Service, RT (Russia Today) and France 24. CNN International is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does China Global Television Network have an API?
No public API is recorded for China Global Television Network.
What industry is China Global Television Network in?
China Global Television Network's product category is International Broadcasting. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPABAEAJ, International TV Broadcasters (Free-to-Air/Satellite/Cable), with a secondary code of MPABAHAG, Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) Network/Studio Streaming Channels. Its NAICS code is 51612 and its SIC code is 4833.