iQIYI iJOY Conference 2026 Overview
On September 23, 2026, iQIYI, China’s leading online entertainment platform, hosted its iJOY Conference in Shanghai and announced a slate of over 350 new titles slated for release across 2026‑2027. The titles span contemporary, historical, romance, suspense, and sci‑fi long‑form dramas, as well as short‑form dramas delivered through three newly branded horizontal‑screen theaters, and vertical‑screen micro‑dramas and animation that repurpose established long‑form IPs.
AI‑Centric Strategic Priorities
Founder and CEO Yu GONG outlined three AI‑driven priorities: (1) applying AI to premium live‑action and long‑form AIGC production, (2) building a sustainable creator ecosystem through seven dedicated creator‑service programs, and (3) pioneering new content formats enabled by emerging technologies. Chief Content Officer Xiaohui WANG described three industry shifts – a C2C era of broad creative participation, a “Minority” era of niche demand, and a “Platinum” era where emotional value commands a premium – which iQIYI aims to address with its AI‑enhanced workflow.
Flagship AI‑Enabled Content
The conference debuted the trailer for "Immortals Over Mortal Love," iQIYI’s first full‑length hybrid AI multi‑season drama produced on the proprietary NadouPro platform. The series will consist of 16 episodes, each about 20 minutes, with a planned premiere in the fourth quarter of 2026. Yu GONG described the series as a “new chapter” for both iQIYI and the broader industry, emphasizing AI’s role in boosting production efficiency and diversifying entertainment experiences.
Commercial Validation of AIGC
iQIYI cited the success of the "The Ferry Man" AIGC series, noting that its first two installments recouped production costs within the first week of release and generated more than RMB 8 million (approximately US$1.19 million) in cumulative platform revenue‑sharing earnings during the first month.
Feature‑Length AIGC Film Initiative
From over 100 global submissions, iQIYI selected nine projects for feature‑length AIGC film production under the "Peter Pau • iQIYI Film Theater" banner. Academy Award‑winning cinematographer and director Peter Pau will provide comprehensive guidance to ensure professional standards across adventure, suspense, action, romance, and animation genres.
Variety Show and Creator Partnerships
The platform reaffirmed its robust variety‑show portfolio, including flagship franchises and original concepts, and announced a co‑investment programme with Douyin to incubate premium creator‑produced variety content and discover new creative voices.
Scream Night Partnership
Representatives from iQIYI and Galaxy Arena announced that the 2026 iQIYI Scream Night will be held on December 5, 2026 at Galaxy Arena in Macao. The event will enjoy a three‑year residency (2026‑2028) under the strategic partnership.
Upgraded Marketing Framework
iQIYI launched the industry’s first big‑data marketing system for household terminals, shifting focus from individual user behaviour to long‑term family needs and life‑stage targeting. In conjunction with Miaozhen Systems, iQIYI co‑published the "Content Touchpoint Value Research Report," offering data‑driven insights on how brand advertising translates into sustained business growth. The company highlighted AI‑driven product placements within dramas as a means to transform brand marketing from a cost‑saving exercise into a measurable commercial driver.
Outlook
iQIYI reaffirmed its commitment to AI‑driven innovation across content creation and marketing, emphasizing deep collaborations with creators, brands, and industry partners to deliver next‑generation premium entertainment experiences worldwide.