Mango TV was established on May 26, 2006, in Changsha, Hunan by Ruobo Zhang, the former Mango TV Chairman&CEO. On April 20, 2014, the original Mango TV and Golden Eagle website were integrated into a single online video platform which exclusively holds all of Hunan Broadcasting System and Hunan Satellite TV's content and enjoys their copyright works, also known as "Mango Exclusive Broadcast". In October 2014, Mango TV created the first self-produced web series 'Huayang Jianghu'. On 2014 New Year Countdown Night, held by Hunan Satellite TV, Mango TV launched five-screen live broadcast mode, allowing audience to select different camera positions and angles to watch the celebration show. In 2015, Mango TV has experienced a shift from 'Exclusive Broadcast' to 'Unique Content', during which period the number of users has increased to 60 million on the platform. In October 2015, Mango TV built collaboration and signed a memorandum with BBC World, seeking for more opportunities on co-production in the global market.
Content
Mango TV originals
Mango TV originals refers to work or content that are produced by Mango TV itself, compared to a large proportion of content that it exclusively broadcasts from Hunan Satellite TV.
Drama
In October 2014, Mango TV's first self-produced network drama 'Huayang Jianghu' debuted, which featured ancient Chinese world as well as costumes and starred young idols. In late 2014, Mango TV produced the second drama 'Jinpai Hongniang'. The drama featured fixed cast compared to previous network dramas which preferred to take each episode with different actors.
Network show
In 2015, Mango TV produced the first interactive network live show 'Perfect Holiday', featuring normal young participants living in the same house. The production used multi-positioned cameras which enabled audience to watch the show with different angles of rooms. Later in July 2016, 'Perfect Holiday 2' debuted with more rooms in different themes. It added new IP cameras that would follow the participants all the time, which increased the sense of entertainment. Later in 2015, Mango TV introduced 'the Million Second Quiz' from NBC, hosted by Kevin Tsai. Keeping the main sections of the show, Mango TV added new online interactive Q&A section. In 2016, sponsored exclusively by JD.com, Mango TV produced 'Crime Scene'. It is originated from Korea show and featured content in both thrill and humor.
Mango Hi Q is a HD IPTV set-top box which enables users to request TV programs, movies, music and games. Users can enjoy all the copyright works of Hunan Satellite TV and Mango TV provided by the box. Also, they can use Mobile AppWeChat to search video content and watch it on their television.
Financing
On June 23, 2016, Mango TV has completed series B funding with nearly 1.5 billion. Its estimated value now is 13.5 billion and was planning to go public in 2016. But the plan failed and Mango TV ended up in being included into Happigo Home Shopping Co. Ltd, going public with other six companies. Critics stated that it would be better for Mango TV to obtain fully controlled operating authority. With Hunan Broadcasting System owning more than 50% shares, it's hard for Mango TV to make decisions all by itself.
Homophobic controversy
In May 2018, during the Eurovision's performance of Irish singers, Mango TV allegedly blurred and censored gay love symbols such as a kiss and LGBT flags, resulting in the Eurovision administration ending contract with the online TV channel.
