uchannel

What uchannel does

UChannelTV is the operating brand of U Channel Foundation, a California-based IRS 501(c)(3) non-profit media organization founded in 2013 in Santa Clara. Its primary function is producing and distributing Chinese-language news, finance, lifestyle, faith, and political commentary programming to Chinese-American audiences, primarily in the San Francisco Bay Area and New York. The organization's content portfolio spans roughly 15 named programs (Focus News, Finance Focus, Bay Area Information, Open Mic, Spin Yarn Silicon Valley, In Your Presence, Guest Who, U Kitchen, UFO Pedia, Rich Formula, Naja's Parenting Tips) plus an original documentary series; flagship documentary "Spell Me Out" (拼出我心) won Best Documentary Feature at the 2022 Red Flower Stone International Film Festival and was nominated at 10 festivals.

Distribution is multi-platform: over-the-air digital TV channel 16.9 in the South Bay/Greater San Jose area, web streaming at UChannelTV.us, a main YouTube channel plus at least five specialized YouTube sub-channels (including In Your Presence, Silicon Valley Main Street, Long Men Show, Open Mic Politics, and AI New Era), a Facebook page and Facebook Live, and iOS/Android mobile applications. A separate New York channel (uchannelny.tv) extends coverage to the East Coast.

The organization operates a non-profit funding model with three revenue streams: viewer donations (PayPal/credit card/check, tax-deductible with year-end receipts), tiered corporate sponsorship (in-kind exchange, program underwriting, and corporate sponsorship), and event-driven revenue from initiatives such as the UChannel World Tour gospel events and the Homeless Care More charitable project. Leadership comprises Founder/Pastor Tong Liu, General Manager and Board Chairman Gerry Liu, Board Member Pauline Tu, a news editor-in-chief, finance anchor (Howard Chen, CEO/CIO of Parah Capital Management), and additional anchors and producers spanning news, documentaries, and lifestyle content. No disclosed financial figures, headcount, or institutional funding are reported.

Name

uchannel

Legal name

U Channel Foundation

Website

https://uchanneltv.us

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

UChannelTV (U Channel Foundation) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit Chinese-language media platform founded in 2013 in Santa Clara, California, producing news, finance, faith, lifestyle, and political programming for Chinese-American audiences in the Bay Area and New York via digital TV channel 16.9, web streaming, YouTube sub-channels, and iOS/Android mobile apps, funded by viewer donations and corporate sponsorships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Television Broadcasting

NAICS

Radio and Television Broadcasting Stations (5161), Television Broadcasting Stations (51612), Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (51621)

SIC

Television Broadcasting Stations (4833), Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYMPABADAG

Public Media Digital Platforms & Streaming (Apps, On-demand, Podcasts)

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Broadcasting (TV & Radio)/Public/Nonprofit Broadcasting (PBS/NPR-style)

SECONDARYMPABAAAE

Educational/Public-Service Broadcast Networks

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Broadcasting (TV & Radio)/Broadcast Television Networks

SECONDARYMPABADAH

Educational/Instructional Public Media Services (Schools, Distance Learning)

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Broadcasting (TV & Radio)/Public/Nonprofit Broadcasting (PBS/NPR-style)

Keywords

• Chinese-language broadcasting
• Community television channel
• Digital video streaming
• Non-profit media platform
• Documentary production

Headquarters

HQ city

Santa Clara

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: UChannel operates as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The primary revenue comes from viewer donations and charitable contributions. Donations are accepted via PayPal, credit card, and check. All donations receive year-end donation receipts.
2. Sponsorship Programs: Multiple sponsorship tiers including in-kind exchange sponsorship (media promotion, video/audio equipment support, on-site live broadcasting), program underwriter sponsorship (commissioned production of promotional videos, commissioned broadcasting), and corporate sponsorship (company/institution program sponsorship with image advertising).
3. In-Kind Exchange Sponsorship: Provides media promotion, event coverage, video/audio equipment support, on-site Facebook/YouTube live broadcasting services in exchange for sponsorship.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

UChannel TV operates a 24/7 Chinese-language broadcast and streaming media platform serving the Chinese-American community, distributing news, finance, faith, lifestyle, political commentary, and original documentary programming across digital TV (Channel 16.9), website streaming, YouTube, Facebook, and mobile apps. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit, it funds operations through viewer donations and sponsorships while delivering all content free of charge.

Product overview

UChannelTV is a comprehensive Chinese-American media platform operating as a non-profit organization (U Channel Foundation), founded in 2013 in Santa Clara, California. The platform delivers a diverse portfolio of video content through multiple distribution channels including a streaming website, mobile apps (iOS/Android), digital TV antenna (channel 16.9), and social media platforms (YouTube, Facebook). The core product portfolio includes live streaming services, original documentary productions (such as award-winning 'Spell Me Out'), news programming (Focus News, Finance Focus), interview shows (In Your Presence, Guest Who), lifestyle content (U Kitchen, Bay Area Information), political commentary (Open Mic, Silicon Valley Spin Yarn), financial programming (Rich Formula), educational content (UFO Pedia, Naja's Parenting Tips), and community outreach initiatives (Homeless Care More). The platform positions itself as the number one Chinese-American public-serving media platform, serving the Chinese diaspora with news, entertainment, and community-focused programming.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• UChannelTV Live Streaming (優視直播) Real-time 24/7 live streaming service broadcasting UChannelTV's programs and events through the website, enabling viewers to watch content as it airs across multiple platforms.
• UChannelTV Mobile App (優視頻道APP) Mobile application for iOS and Android devices enabling on-the-go access to UChannelTV's live and on-demand streaming content, available for download through the App Store and Google Play.
• UChannel Focus News (優視焦點新聞) Daily news program providing concise 10-minute news updates covering US, California, Bay Area, Greater China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and international news, broadcast weekdays with multiple daily reruns.
• Finance Focus (焦點財經) Financial news program airing Mondays and Wednesdays, hosted by Howard Chen, providing market analysis and investment insights from a Silicon Valley perspective with 30+ years of investment experience.
• Rich Formula (哇! 財發現) Financial advice program featuring expert consultants from the US, China, and Taiwan addressing topics including investments, education, taxes, and financial planning.
• UChannel Original Documentary Series (優視原創紀錄片系列) Original documentary productions from a Chinese-American perspective featuring community stories told through cinematic production, including award-winning films such as 'Spell Me Out' and 'Black Iron Nails' (黑色道釘).
• Spell Me Out (拼出我心) UChannel's first feature-length documentary about Laure, an Ivy League graduate who lost motor function but maintained faith, producing a book and speaking internationally. Won Best Documentary Feature at the 2022 Red Flower Stone International Film Festival.
• U Kitchen (優視美食) Culinary and food-related programming featuring cooking demonstrations, food culture, and gourmet content from certified chefs.
• In Your Presence (今天遇見你) Interview program hosted by Li Jingyu featuring guests sharing life experiences, challenges, and personal growth journeys.
• Guest Who (誰來作客) Interview-based program hosted by Anne Hsiao featuring guests from various backgrounds sharing experiences in family, society, arts, health, and faith.
• Bay Area Information (灣區資訊) Local Bay Area news and community event coverage featuring anchors Benny Chang, Rita Hsia, and Min Zhou, reporting on Chinese community activities.
• UFO Pedia (優百科) Educational content series featuring various topics including business strategy, parenting tips, and insurance information from expert instructors.
• Naja's Parenting Tips (Naja老師的育兒妙招) Parenting education program hosted by Naja with a PhD in Education, providing practical advice for Chinese immigrant families on raising children in America.
• Open Mic (開放麥) Political commentary talk show offering Chinese-American perspective on US mainstream politics, featuring diverse community voices and current event discussions.
• Spin Yarn Silicon Valley (矽谷龍門陣) Multi-panel discussion program analyzing American political, economic, and cultural issues from a conservative Chinese-American perspective, featuring experts from tech, biotech, and academia.
• Focus Topic with Benny (老章陪你看新聞 / 焦點話題) News analysis program hosted by Benny Chang providing in-depth analysis of current events and media coverage interpretation, awarded Best TV News Commentary by the North California Chinese Media Association in 2018.

Quantifiable outcome

• Multiple original documentaries have received recognition at US film festivals, including 'Spell Me Out' which was nominated at 10 film festivals and won Best Documentary Feature at 2022 Red Flower Stone International Film Festival
• +1 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability3 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• River of Life Christian Church (矽谷生命河靈糧堂)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerContent provider for worship services, spiritual programming, and community church content. Provides '跨越的人生' and 'River of Life Sunday Worship Live Broadcast' programs.
• Double Portion Media (倍恩傳媒)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerContent partner for lifestyle and community programming. Co-produces '優健康', '荷你有約', '誰來作客' programs with UChannel.
• Good TV (好消息衛星電視)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSatellite TV provider offering faith-based programming including '真情部落格', '經典音樂河', '愛+好醫生', '烤箱讀書會', '心靈不打烊', '健康新煮流'.
• Overseas Radio & Television Inc. (救世傳播協會)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEstablished in 1960, an evangelistic organization reaching Chinese communities through multimedia. Provides English teaching programs '大家說英語' and '空中英語教室'.
• MOMO亲子台minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorChildren's channel providing programming for child development including 'MOMO歡樂谷', '動物大明星', '禮貌小寶貝', '家事小達人', 'MOMO這一家', 'MOMO玩玩樂', '快樂小廚房'.
• Hunan TV (湖南衛視)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEntertainment-focused Chinese channel providing popular variety shows including '嚮往的生活', '快樂大本營', '天天向上', '誰是歌手', etc.
• Glory Star Media (耀世星輝傳媒)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorContent partner providing lifestyle programming series including '悅世界', '悅空間', '悅美食', '悅健康', '悅時尚', '悅寶貝'.
• SOBEM (恩雨之聲)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEvangelistic media organization providing faith content and emotional support hotline for viewers.
• Stream of Praise (讚美之泉音樂事工)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWorship music ministry providing music production and media content including '天堂敬拜LIVE'.
• The Media Evangelism LTD / Creation TV (影音使團/創世電視)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorQuality video production organization providing documentary content including '地球深度行', '成功之路-大馬士革', '鐵證待判'.
• Home of Christ in Cupertino (基督之家第五家)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocal church providing faith-based community programming and spiritual content.
• Forerunner Christian Church (基督教慕主先鋒教會)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorChurch providing faith-based programming through '灣區教會講台系列 -永恆之光' series.
• UChannel New York (優視紐約頻道)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSeparate New York-based channel operating at uchannelny.tv, extending UChannel's geographic coverage to the East Coast.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/Uchannelus
• Facebookfacebook.com/UchannelTV
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/uchanneltv

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about uchannel