‘Happiness hub’: Streaming channel for pets launched in China
Cats and dogs can now fill the hours their owners are at work with a dedicated all-day streaming channel for pets launched by Chinese tech giant Tencent. Clips of a duckling swimming in a bath or two happy pooches patrolling their neighbourhood are examples of the curated programming on “PetTV”. The new channel on Tencent […]
China's tech giant Tencent has launched a dedicated streaming channel for pets, dubbed "PetTV," to keep animals company when their owners are away. This unique service, available on Tencent Video, China's most popular online streaming platform, offers a range of curated content designed to entertain pets and provide comfort during their owners' absence.
PetTV features a variety of programming, from a duckling swimming in a bath to two dogs patrolling their neighborhood. The channel aims to serve as both a companion for pets left alone and a shared activity for animals and humans to enjoy together. One user, engrossed in the service, playfully asked, "This is all dog content, when will the cat programme be on?" in the chatroom on PetTV's streaming page.
Tencent Video described PetTV as a "24-hour happiness hub specially designed for your furry kids" in a social media post on WeChat. The platform emphasized that the channel's content is tailored to the unique sensory experiences of pets, with colors, refresh rates, and audio frequencies adjusted to suit their specific needs.
The launch of PetTV comes as part of a growing trend in China's urban pet market, which is projected to reach a value of 405 billion yuan ($59 billion) by 2028, according to a report by PetData.cn. The service is not the only pet-specific media offering; for instance, the popular Headspace mindfulness app recently posted a YouTube video titled "When your pets miss you, play this: 6-hour calming music for dogs and cats."
PetTV also incorporates third-party content, including airing America's DogTV, the world's first TV channel and streaming service for pets. The channel is available to paid subscribers of Tencent Video, which conducted market research revealing that 66% of dog owners leave the television on for their pets when they are out.
As China's urbanization continues to grow, the demand for pet-friendly services is on the rise. PetTV represents an innovative approach to addressing the needs of both pets and their owners, offering a unique solution to the challenge of pets being left alone during the day. With its curated content and tailored features, PetTV aims to provide a source of comfort and entertainment for pets, ensuring they remain happy and engaged even in the absence of their human companions.
