China's Netflix to seek at least US$8 bil value in IPO

(Sept 26): Baidu Inc.’s iQiyi is targeting a US initial public offering as soon as in 2018 that could value China’s most popular Netflix-style streaming video service at more than US$8 billion ($10.8 billion), two people familiar with the matter say.

The company controlled by search giant Baidu is about to kick off negotiations with banks and deal arrangers and is shooting for a valuation of as much as US$10 billion, the people said, asking not to be named because the matter is private. Baidu wants to continue holding a controlling stake in iQiyi upon the IPO via dual-class shares, the people said. The IPO process however is in its early stages and the final valuation could change.

IQiyi, the only Chinese service that licenses shows from Netflix Inc., needs to build up its war chest as it battles rival platforms run by Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. and Tencent Holdings Ltd. Baidu, which is also investing heavily in artificial intelligence and autonomous vehicles, needs to buy and create more content to sustain its lead among online video platforms, based on time spent.

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