Announcement
On July 3, 2026, iQIYI, described as China’s leading online entertainment platform, issued a press release from Beijing stating that its original comedic variety show The King of Stand‑Up Comedy will return for a third season. The new season will be released simultaneously on the domestic iQIYI platform and iQIYI International, extending the franchise to a global audience.
Programme Concept and Line‑up
The third season continues the series’ core theme of “from nobody to somebody,” featuring a mix of returning comedians and fresh talent, including stand‑up performers and manzai duos sourced from comedy clubs across China. The format aims to present authentic, everyday‑life stories through a broad range of comedic perspectives.
Performance History
Season 1 achieved an iQIYI popularity index exceeding 9,400, propelling the show to the top of iQIYI’s 2024 variety popularity index and securing leading positions on several third‑party data platforms. Season 2, which premiered in July 2025, sustained the momentum by generating over 5,100 trending topics and topping Enlightent’s August 2025 “Dominating Screen Chart of Variety Shows,” the only comedy program to earn that distinction that year.
Cultural Impact
In Season 2, a comedian’s routine critiquing airline uniform policies sparked policy reviews at several Chinese carriers, illustrating the programme’s capacity to influence public conversation beyond pure entertainment metrics.
Portfolio Context
The series is positioned alongside other flagship iQIYI seasonal IPs such as The Rap of China, which introduced hip‑hop culture to mainstream Chinese audiences, and The Blooming Journey, a travel‑reality show focused on female‑centric storytelling. Together, these titles demonstrate iQIYI’s strategy of building long‑running, season‑based intellectual property that caters to diverse consumer tastes.