Video Membership Model

Video membership model is the paid subscription route that Chinese long-video platforms used to reduce dependence on ads and justify exclusive content spending. No.204 互联网视频平台混战：从后舍男生到漫长的季节 | 中国互联网故事21 treats iQIYI / 爱奇艺’s “The Lost Tomb” launch, with members able to watch the season ahead of non-members, as the decisive consumer-behavior breakthrough.

The model is not just payment UI. It needs scarce content, release-window design, reliable playback, enough hit frequency to reduce churn, and pricing that users accept despite a long internet culture of free entertainment.

Key Claims

• Exclusive dramas and variety shows made payment feel tied to access, not only ad removal.
• Ahead-of-schedule viewing converted urgency and fandom into membership adoption.
• Membership revenue helped but did not erase content-cost pressure.
• Price increases and service-quality compromises can weaken user trust.

Connections

• iQIYI / 爱奇艺 and 龚宇 — central case in the episode.
• Chinese Long-Video Platform Economics and Online Video Copyright Regime — economic prerequisites.
• 腾讯视频 / Tencent Video, 芒果TV / Mango TV, and 优酷 / Youku — other long-video membership platforms.
• Product Led Willingness To Pay — broader wiki theme around paying for products when value is visible.