LeTV

Corporate brand

A Chinese internet and consumer-electronics brand that built an ecosystem around online video, smart televisions, smartphones, and connected devices.

Last updated October 9, 2026

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Overview

LeTV is a Chinese technology and entertainment brand founded by Jia Yueting in 2004. It began as an online video business and became one of the early Chinese companies to present streaming content, hardware, cloud services, and internet applications as a single ecosystem. The company’s original corporate vehicle was Leshi Internet Information & Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd., commonly known in English as LeTV or Le.com, which was listed in Shenzhen under stock code 300104. The brand was closely associated with Jia Yueting and with the broader LeEco strategy. LeTV’s initial business was online video distribution. It acquired and licensed films, television programs, and other audiovisual material, offering them through web and mobile services. The company later expanded into original content, sports programming, film production, and content aggregation. Its principal strategic claim was that content could drive demand for affordable connected hardware, while hardware sales could enlarge the user base for paid and advertising-supported services. This model led LeTV into smart televisions, set-top boxes, smartphones, and other connected products. The LeTV television business was especially visible in China because it promoted internet-connected screens with large displays, relatively aggressive pricing, and bundled access to online content. The company also introduced smartphones under the LeTV and LeEco names and developed a proprietary software layer and account-based ecosystem intended to connect phones, televisions, applications, and media services. From 2014 onward, LeTV pursued international expansion and diversification. The group established or acquired businesses connected with film, sports, cloud computing, electric vehicles, and consumer electronics. In the United States, the LeEco brand was used for a broad product and services proposition that included televisions, smartphones, content, and a planned vehicle business. The rapid expansion required substantial capital and supplier financing, and the businesses did not generate sufficient liquidity to support the pace of investment. A severe liquidity crisis became public in 2016 and 2017. Suppliers and creditors reported delayed payments, financing became more difficult, and LeEco’s expansion plans were curtailed. Jia Yueting stepped down from the chairmanship of the listed company in 2017 and later remained in the United States while pursuing the Faraday Future electric-vehicle venture. Sunac China and other investors provided financing or strategic support to parts of the group, but the wider restructuring did not restore the former scale of the ecosystem. The listed company subsequently went through prolonged financial, regulatory, and restructuring difficulties. Its shares were suspended for an extended period and were ultimately removed from the Shenzhen market in 2024 after failing to meet listing requirements. The LeTV name nevertheless continued to be used for television and internet-media operations in China, even as the original LeEco expansion model was substantially reduced. The present brand should therefore be understood as a surviving media and smart-hardware brand rather than as a single fully integrated global conglomerate. Corporate control, operating scope, and the relationship between LeTV-branded businesses and the former listed company require careful distinction.

History

LeTV was founded in Beijing in 2004 by Jia Yueting as an online video company. At a time when Chinese internet businesses were experimenting with advertising-supported video and paid digital distribution, LeTV sought to build a substantial library of licensed audiovisual material and make it available through websites, mobile applications, and other internet channels. The business later developed original programming and broader entertainment activities, helping establish the brand as a content company rather than simply a video website. The company’s key strategic transition was the combination of video services with consumer electronics. LeTV promoted an ecosystem in which users could access its content through branded televisions, set-top boxes, smartphones, and applications. Smart televisions became one of its most prominent hardware categories. The products were marketed around large screens, internet connectivity, integrated software, and bundled or otherwise linked content services. This approach helped LeTV gain visibility in China’s rapidly expanding smart-TV market and gave the brand a distinctive identity among internet companies entering hardware. The corporate group expanded aggressively during the middle of the 2010s. It moved beyond video into film production, sports, cloud services, smartphones, television manufacturing, and international operations. The group also pursued electric vehicles through Faraday Future, a separate but closely associated venture led by Jia Yueting. In the United States, LeEco attempted to recreate its ecosystem proposition with content, televisions, phones, and other devices. The strategy required large investments, rapid hiring, inventory commitments, acquisitions, and supplier relationships across multiple businesses. The expansion exposed the group to substantial liquidity risk. In late 2016, LeEco acknowledged financial pressure, while suppliers and business partners reported delayed payments. The problems spread across affiliated companies and made it difficult to distinguish the financial position of the listed company from that of the wider LeEco network. Jia Yueting resigned from the listed company’s chairmanship in 2017. Sunac China became a major strategic investor in parts of the business, but the investment did not reverse the group’s broader contraction. LeEco’s United States consumer operation was sharply reduced after its launch failed to generate the expected scale and funding conditions deteriorated. The company cut staff, limited product activity, and faced disputes involving suppliers and commercial counterparties. Jia continued to focus on Faraday Future, while creditors and regulators pursued claims connected with the Chinese listed company and related entities. The listed company’s shares remained suspended for years amid accounting, debt, and restructuring problems. Regulatory actions and court decisions further complicated its recovery. In 2024, the Shenzhen Stock Exchange terminated the listing of the company’s shares. LeTV-branded products and media services continued to exist in China, but the original vision of a globally integrated content, hardware, and vehicle ecosystem was no longer operating at its former scale. Because the brand name has been used across affiliated entities and successor operations, current brand ownership and corporate scope should not be treated as identical to the historical listed company.

2024
Termination of the listed company’s stock-market listing
[4]Shenzhen Stock Exchange English siteszse.cn
The Shenzhen Stock Exchange terminated the listing of Leshi Internet Information & Technology shares after prolonged suspension and failure to meet listing requirements.
2017
Sunac investment and leadership transition
[2]Reuters reporting on Sunac’s investment in LeEco-related businessesreuters.com
Sunac invested in LeEco-related businesses, while Jia Yueting resigned from the listed company’s chairmanship.
2016
International LeEco expansion
[6]International LeEco expansionreuters.com
The group expanded its LeEco proposition into the United States and other markets, spanning content, televisions, phones, and connected services.
2016
Liquidity crisis becomes public
[1]Reuters reporting on LeEco’s liquidity crisisreuters.com
LeEco disclosed financial pressure as its rapid multi-sector expansion led to cash shortages and delayed payments.
2013
Expansion into smart televisions
[1]Reuters reporting on LeEco’s liquidity crisisreuters.com
LeTV introduced internet-connected television products and emphasized the combination of screens, software, and online content.
2010
Listing on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange
[4]Shenzhen Stock Exchange English siteszse.cn
The operating company Leshi Internet Information & Technology became a listed company in Shenzhen under stock code 300104.
2004
LeTV is founded
[1]Reuters reporting on LeEco’s liquidity crisisreuters.com
Jia Yueting founded the company in Beijing as an online video and digital-content business.

Products and positioning

Historically positioned as an integrated internet ecosystem combining content, streaming services, affordable smart hardware, and connected applications. After the group’s liquidity crisis and restructuring, the brand is more narrowly associated with online video and smart televisions.

Streaming media · 2004
LeTV online video
LeTV began as an online video platform offering licensed films, television programming, and other audiovisual material through web and mobile services. It later added original and affiliated entertainment content and used video distribution as the foundation for a broader internet ecosystem.
Consumer electronics · 2013
LeTV smart televisions
LeTV smart televisions were internet-connected screens built around the company’s content and software proposition. They combined large-format displays with streaming access, applications, and account-based services. The line was central to LeTV’s strategy of using hardware to expand the audience for digital content.
Streaming hardware
LeTV set-top boxes
LeTV set-top boxes provided a lower-cost route to connected video services for households that did not replace their existing television. They extended the company’s device ecosystem and connected television screens to its software and content offerings.
Mobile devices · 2015
LeTV smartphones
LeTV smartphones were Android-based devices promoted as part of the company’s content-and-hardware ecosystem. The phones integrated access to LeTV services and were marketed with aggressive specifications and pricing. In international markets, related devices were commonly branded LeEco.
Digital ecosystem · 2014
LeEco connected-device ecosystem
The wider LeEco proposition linked video, televisions, smartphones, applications, cloud services, and other connected products through shared accounts and content relationships. It was the group’s principal strategic idea, although its scope contracted substantially after the liquidity crisis.

Controversies

2021
LeTV.com administratively punished for financial fraud and fraudulent issuance
In 2021, the China Securities Regulatory Commission penalized LeTV.com for illegal acts including financial fraud and fraudulent issuance. LeTV.com was fined 240.6 million yuan, and Jia Yueting was fined 241.2 million yuan. The penalties involved issues including continuous financial fraud from 2007 to 2016.
Source
2021
Court orders iQIYI to pay LeTV ¥50,000 for copyright infringement
The Beijing Internet Court found that iQIYI provided two works for online playback without the rights holder’s permission, infringing LeTV’s information network dissemination rights, and ordered iQIYI to pay LeTV ¥50,000 in economic damages.
Source
2019
Vizio seeks enforcement of its settlement with LeEco
Vizio filed a new motion in a California federal court alleging that LeEco violated their settlement agreement and asking the court to enforce the agreement and enter judgment against LeEco and related holding companies. The settlement terms remain confidential.
Source
2019
Jiangsu consumer body files public-interest lawsuit over LeTV TV startup ads
The Jiangsu Consumer Council filed a consumer public-interest lawsuit against LeRong over LeTV-branded smart TVs that it said force startup advertisements that cannot be closed and infringe consumer rights. The Nanjing Intermediate People's Court formally accepted the case on January 2, 2020.
Source
2017
Regulatory and creditor disputes involving the listed company
The listed company faced prolonged trading suspension, debt and accounting-related problems, creditor actions, and regulatory difficulties after the group’s expansion faltered.
Source
2016
Liquidity crisis and delayed-payment controversy
LeEco’s rapid expansion was followed by reported delayed payments to suppliers and other counterparties, raising questions about the group’s liquidity, related-party structure, and ability to finance its commitments.
Source

2016LeEco United States launch
United States
LeEco introduced a broad United States proposition covering content, smartphones, televisions, and other connected products, seeking to export the ecosystem model developed in China.
Outcome. The operation later reduced staffing and activity as financing conditions worsened and sales did not meet expectations.
Source
2015LeTV and LeEco ecosystem expansion
China · United States · India
LeTV promoted a cross-category ecosystem joining online content with televisions, smartphones, applications, and connected services. The international version of the proposition was generally presented under the LeEco name.
Outcome. The campaign increased international visibility but did not achieve the scale required to support the group’s expansion and was curtailed during the subsequent liquidity crisis.
Source

Brand decisions

2024
Exit the public marketOther
Background
The listed company had remained suspended and failed to satisfy the applicable continuing-listing requirements.
Action taken
The Shenzhen Stock Exchange terminated the listing of its shares.
Aftermath
LeTV-branded operations continued in a reduced form, but the former publicly traded corporate structure was no longer available to support the original expansion strategy.
Source
2017
Accept strategic investment from SunacM&A
Background
The LeEco group needed liquidity and a restructuring partner after its expansion produced severe cash pressure.
Action taken
Sunac China invested in several LeEco-related businesses and became an important strategic backer.
Aftermath
The investment provided temporary support to selected operations but did not restore the former group-wide ecosystem or prevent prolonged difficulties at the listed company.
Source
2014
Adopt a cross-category ecosystem strategyStrategy
Background
Management believed that content, devices, software, and services could reinforce one another and reduce reliance on a single media revenue stream.
Action taken
LeTV expanded into smartphones, cloud services, film and sports content, international operations, and electric-vehicle-related activities.
Aftermath
The strategy generated rapid visibility but also created high capital requirements and contributed to the liquidity crisis that emerged in 2016.
Source
2013
Enter the smart-TV marketProduct launch
Background
LeTV sought to turn its online video audience into a user base for branded connected hardware.
Action taken
The company launched internet-connected televisions integrating access to its software and content services.
Aftermath
Televisions became one of the brand’s most visible product categories and a model for its later ecosystem strategy.
Source

Recent events

Unconfirmed
LeTV launches G75S 75-inch television[12]乐视推出G75S 75英寸电视itbear.com.cn
LeTV introduced its G75S 75-inch smart television, with a listed launch price of 3,999 yuan.
2021-05-20
LeTV announces planned release of letv M65 Mini LED television[13]乐视宣布letv M65 Mini LED电视计划于下半年正式发布citnews.com.cn
At its May 18 product event, LeTV announced its letv M65 quantum-dot Mini LED 4K television and said the model would be formally released in the second half of the year.
2021-05-18
LeTV announces letv M65 television for second-half release[14]乐视公布letv M65电视，计划下半年发售chinaz.com
LeTV announced the letv M65, its first Mini LED quantum-dot model in the Super TV line, and said it would go on sale in the second half of the year for 6,999 yuan.
2021-05-18
Letv launches Mini LED quantum-dot TV and smart ecosystem products[15]乐视发布Mini LED量子点电视及智能生态新品finance.sina.com.cn
Reported: 2021-05-18
At a Beijing product launch, Letv unveiled more than 60 smart ecosystem products, including the M65 Mini LED quantum-dot TV and G55S, G65S and G70S televisions.
2021-05-18
LeTV announces the return of its smart ecosystem and Super Phone[16]乐视宣布智能生态回归和超级手机重生chinaz.com
LeTV announced at a press conference that its smart ecosystem was returning and its Super Phone was being revived. The supplied source does not specify a phone model or a release date.
Unconfirmed
Court orders iQIYI to pay LeTV ¥50,000 for copyright infringement[9]Court orders iQIYI to pay LeTV ¥50,000 for copyright infringementfinance.sina.com.cn
Reported: 2021-05-17
The Beijing Internet Court found that iQIYI provided two works for online playback without the rights holder’s permission, infringing LeTV’s information network dissemination rights, and ordered iQIYI to pay LeTV ¥50,000 in economic damages.
2021-01-06
LeTV launches Ears Pro wireless earbuds[17]乐视推出Ears Pro蓝牙耳机dcdv.zol.com.cn
Reported: 2021-01-06
LeTV launched its Ears Pro wireless earbuds, which support active noise cancellation and offer up to 24 hours of battery life. The product was available for preorder in the LeTV Mall for 218 yuan and was scheduled to begin shipping on January 7.
2021
LeTV Mini LED TV M65 wins UDE 2021 Innovation Product Award[18]乐视 Mini LED 电视 M65 获 UDE 2021 创新产品奖itbear.com.cn
LeTV Mini LED TV M65 won the 2021 Innovation Product Award presented by the UDE International Consumer Electronics Expo.
2019-12-30
Vizio seeks enforcement of its settlement with LeEco[10]Vizio seeks enforcement of its settlement with LeEcofinance.sina.com.cn
Reported: 2020-01-01
Vizio filed a new motion in a California federal court alleging that LeEco violated their settlement agreement and asking the court to enforce the agreement and enter judgment against LeEco and related holding companies. The settlement terms remain confidential.
2019-12-12
Jiangsu consumer body files public-interest lawsuit over LeTV TV startup ads[11]Jiangsu consumer body files public-interest lawsuit over LeTV TV startup adsfinance.sina.com.cn
Reported: 2020-01-13
The Jiangsu Consumer Council filed a consumer public-interest lawsuit against LeRong over LeTV-branded smart TVs that it said force startup advertisements that cannot be closed and infringe consumer rights. The Nanjing Intermediate People's Court formally accepted the case on January 2, 2020.

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