China's youth enchanted by performing arts

Streaming hits

Reality shows produced by online streaming platforms, such as Youku, iQiyi and Tencent Video, received a large number of views. The popularity of those reality shows helped propel live performances in 2019.

Two of the most popular reality shows in 2019 were Street Dance of China by Youku and The Big Band by iQiyi.

The nationwide tours of the artists who participated in these reality shows both sold out of tickets quickly.

Street Dance of China featured celebrity coaches, such as the 19-year-old Chinese singer-actor Jackson Yee (Yi Yangqianxi), who has more than 80 million followers on his Sina Weibo platform. This helped attract audiences of people born after 1990 and 2000, the report said. They accounted for 58 percent of viewers, with females taking up 82 percent of that figure.

The Big Band, which premiered last summer and brought once-underground indie music to the limelight, has launched a nationwide tour with major acts sharing stages. People born between 1980 and 2000 were the major ticket buyers, accounting for up to 85 percent.

The performing arts market in the first quarter of 2020 has been heavily affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Artists and performing arts organizers have halted all tours and shows.

"However, online streaming shows have soared as record companies, artists and concert organizers are trying to find a connection with fans despite all of the cancellations and postponements of live shows," the report added.

"It may become a new trend among theater fans and concertgoers to enjoy shows online."