The 2026 China Media Group Spring Festival Gala, themed "Galloping Steeds, Unstoppable Momentum," is not merely a cultural feast but has become a critical window for capital markets to observe annual technology applications, consumption trends, and industrial integration. ByteDance's Volcano Engine, making its debut as the exclusive AI Cloud partner for comprehensive empowerment, combined with the consumer frenzy ignited by the "Four Steeds Squad" cultural creations and the further upgrade of 8K ultra-high-definition and immersive stage technologies, collectively outline a clear investment map.
The most iconic transformation of the 2026 Spring Festival Gala lies in Volcano Engine becoming the exclusive AI Cloud partner. This marks the first time ByteDance's technology has comprehensively supported the gala's production, real-time interaction, and 8K live streaming, signaling that cloud and AI technologies have evolved from "auxiliary tools" to the "core productivity platform" of the event. Volcano Engine is no stranger to such large-scale tests—having successfully handled 70.3 billion instantaneous concurrent interactions during the 2021 Gala's red envelope activities—but this time its technical architecture has fully advanced to the AI-native cloud stage.
The platform has deployed core technologies like the Doubao large model, which now handles a staggering 63 trillion tokens in daily calls, serving massive, highly complex scenarios covering 90% of mainstream automotive brands and 80% of leading securities firms. In the peak global viewership scenario of the Gala, the AI Cloud will undertake critical tasks such as intelligent content generation (e.g., real-time subtitles, virtual host interaction), personalized recommendation (multi-perspective stream distribution), and ultra-high concurrency real-time rendering (AR effect interaction), acting as the event's "technological backbone."
Range Intelligent Computing Technology Group Company Limited (300442.SZ) is a benchmark enterprise in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei hub of China's "East Data West Computing" project. Its high-power-density cabinets and liquid cooling solutions can effectively support the high-load tasks of AI training and inference. The Gala's 8K live broadcast and real-time AI rendering scenarios place extremely high demands on the stability and low latency of underlying computing power, for which Range's data center network can provide proximate computational support.
During Gala interactions, real-time speech recognition, image generation, and recommendation algorithms all require the deployment of numerous AI inference servers. Ieit Systems Co.,Ltd. (000977.SZ) products and solutions, such as the NF5688G7 and AIStation, are key equipment supporting such high-concurrency, low-latency AI tasks. As a long-term server supplier to ByteDance, the company's participation in this collaboration carries high certainty.
The live broadcast demands that the computing platform achieve "five nines" (99.999%) reliability. Beijing Asiacom Information Technology Co.,Ltd. (301085.SZ) provides 7x24 proactive operation and maintenance, fault预警, and performance optimization services, which are crucial for ensuring the uninterrupted operation of the AI Cloud platform under peak pressure. This "behind-the-scenes support" role involves high technical barriers and significant customer switching costs.
AI voice interaction scenarios at the Gala, such as voice-activated red envelopes and intelligent Q&A, require terminal devices to possess low-power, high-precision speech processing capabilities. Shenzhen Bluetrum Technology Co.,Ltd. (688332.SH) chips are widely used in smart earphones, speakers, remote controls, and other devices, serving as the "first entry point" hardware connecting users to the Gala's AI Cloud services. Its partnerships with companies like ByteDance for pre-installed algorithms create an integrated "chip + algorithm" barrier.
Within the data centers powering the Gala's AI Cloud platform, massive quantities of high-speed optical modules are required for data exchange between servers and switches, and between switches themselves. Services like 8K video streams and AI model parameter synchronization place extremely high bandwidth demands, directly driving the need for 800G and higher optical modules. Accelink Technologies Co.,Ltd. (002281.SZ), a major supplier in the domestic telecom market, is rapidly penetrating the high-end data communication sector and has entered the supply chains of major domestic cloud providers.
Leo Group Co.,Ltd. (002131.SZ), a core agency partner of ByteDance, is not only responsible for traffic operation and commercialization of Gala-related interactive segments but is also deeply involved in AI interactive content generation based on Volcano Engine. For instance, using AIGC technology to create personalized New Year greeting videos for audiences and developing branded virtual human interactions, thereby upgrading advertising from mere "exposure" to "immersive experience."
Bluefocus Intelligent Communications Group Co.,Ltd. (300058.SZ) is a pioneer in applying virtual human technology in large-scale galas. For this year's event, leveraging Volcano Engine's cloud rendering and AI driving capabilities, the company is responsible for planning and technical implementation of core segments like virtual host interaction, AI audience avatars, and the metaverse venue. Its capability has evolved beyond simple outsourcing execution to providing integrated "creativity + technology + operation" solutions.
In the Hong Kong market, two AI application companies, KNOWLEDGE ATLAS (02513) and MINIMAX-WP (00100), have recently attracted significant attention. KNOWLEDGE ATLAS, as a "water seller" focused on general large model R&D and B2B services, stands to benefit from the Gala primarily in three aspects: accelerated release of enterprise-level demand, which directly bolsters its core business fundamentals; the establishment of a technical benchmark that highlights its engineering and reliability advantages; and the clarification of industrial分工, reinforcing its valuation logic as a core AI infrastructure provider.
MINIMAX, as a multimodal AGI pioneer driven by both "C-end products and B-end services," benefits mainly from expanded market education and value realization paths. The Gala exposes a massive user base to the fun and possibilities of AI interaction in the most直观 way, providing unprecedented market启蒙 for its C-end apps like "Talkie" and "Conch AI." Furthermore, high-end scenario demonstrations open up imagination for high-value B2B commercialization, as elements like "virtual hosts" and "AI audience avatars" offer top-tier commercial references for its leading multimodal content generation and interaction technologies.
Overall, this event signals that the investment logic for AI applications is shifting from theme-driven speculation to a phase of fundamental, deep value realization guided by real-world scenario validation. While the beneficiary paths differ, the mentioned companies are all at a critical window for converting industry-level opportunities into specific, company-specific growth momentum.
The launch of the 2026 Gala mascots "Qiqi, Jiji, Chichi, Chengcheng"—the "Four Steeds Squad"—quickly ignited the consumer market. The limited-edition blind boxes, priced at 128 yuan, saw their initial batch of 120,000 units sell out immediately, with pre-sale merchandise snatched up within 3 minutes, leading to secondary market premiums exceeding 300%. This爆发 validates the feasibility of the "cultural content -> IP creation -> productization -> channel scaling" business model on a national platform. Companies with IP operational capabilities, agile supply chain responsiveness, and omni-channel reach advantages will continue to benefit from the long-term rise of Guochao consumption.
Taihu Snow (920262.BJ) and Hangzhou Wensli Silk Culture Co.,Ltd. (301066.SZ), as core suppliers in the silk cultural product category, are deeply involved in the design and production of official Gala derivatives, benefiting from both brand exposure and sales volume. They leverage "national gift standards" and "intangible cultural heritage techniques" as core barriers, undertaking the top-level derivative development for this national-level IP. Their benefit path follows a spiral of growth: enhanced brand potential -> increased channel pricing power -> accelerated category expansion.
POP MART (09992) is essentially a platform company built on "IP operation + supply chain + channels." The Gala paradigm further validates the先进性 and risk resilience of its business model. Its benefit stems not from direct participation but from its role as China's most mature "IP commercialization infrastructure," making its ability to consistently convert cultural热度 into stable revenue and profit growth throughout the long Guochao consumption cycle more apparent.
Zhejiang China Commodities City Group Co.,Ltd. (600415.SH), leveraging Yiwu's global supply chain and logistics network, becomes a key node for rapidly delivering Gala cultural products to lower-tier markets and overseas channels. The setup of a Yiwu sub-venue further enhances its场景 value. It is evolving from a channel into a "global small commodities digital supply chain service platform." The Gala collaboration is a集中展示 of its core capabilities in "offline场景 + online data + cross-border logistics," with its value lying in ecosystem strengthening and monetization capability upgrade.
The 2026 Gala's pursuit of audiovisual体验 reaches new heights: popularization of 8K UHD直播,规模化 of AR real-time interaction, and全面提升 of stage virtual-physical integration immersion. Zhejiang Dafeng Industry Co.,Ltd. (603081.SH) and Funshine Culture Group Co.,Ltd. (300860.SZ), as top-tier domestic providers of cultural, sports, and tourism venue and stage engineering services, lead or deeply participate in the stage machinery, lighting, sound systems, and overall creative design for the main and sub-venues, possessing极高的 technical thresholds and project benchmark value.
Unilumin Group Co.,Ltd. (300232.SZ) and Leyard Optoelectronic Co.,Ltd. (300296.SZ) supply the LED displays and control systems for the main stage and studios, benefiting from growing demand for high-end display technologies like 8K, naked-eye 3D, and XR virtual production. The Gala serves as the "ultimate standards testing ground" for the integrated application of display, communication, and stage engineering technologies, with its technical selections and supplier choices carrying strong industry示范效应. Once deployed, these technologies will rapidly permeate B2B/G2C scenarios like commercial performances, urban light shows, corporate showrooms, and remote collaboration, unlocking secondary growth curves.
Reviewing the three major investment themes catalyzed by the 2026 Gala, a clear evolutionary path emerges: event-driven thematic investment is increasingly resonating deeply with long-term industrial trends and company fundamentals, forming more sustainable and structural value opportunities.
Firstly, the Gala's role as an "annual technology testing ground" is becoming more pronounced. From the deep empowerment by Volcano Engine as the exclusive AI Cloud partner to the comprehensive presentation of 8K+AR immersive experiences, the Gala has transcended being a mere cultural stage to become a "national sandbox" for the large-scale application, stability verification, and commercial demonstration of cutting-edge technologies. This reflects China's systematic capability enhancement in areas like AI computing infrastructure, high-performance hardware, communication transmission, and creative tech applications. Participating enterprises gain not just short-term orders, but also certification as technical benchmarks and a voice in setting industry standards, paving the way for expansion into broader government, enterprise, cultural tourism, and consumer markets.
Secondly, the blockbuster logic of cultural consumption reveals the core drivers of the new consumption era. The phenomenon of the "Four Steeds Squad" selling out in 3 minutes results from the combined effect of "cultural confidence + emotional resonance + agile supply chain response." This marks a transition for Guochao consumption from superficial symbol borrowing to a new stage of systematic cultural IP development and industrial operation. Companies with cultural understanding, design transformation, and flexible manufacturing capabilities are turning traditional cultural resources into sustainable commercial assets. The success of the Gala IP provides a replicable methodology for the Guochao industry to evolve from "blockbuster hits" to "enduring popularity," with ripple effects upgrading the entire industrial chain from design and manufacturing to channels and marketing.
Finally, capital should rationally view the dual nature of the "Gala concept." On one hand, its short-term, event-driven属性 must be acknowledged. On the other hand, a deeper insight into the long-term industrial value is crucial: companies that genuinely participate based on hard technological strength, core supply chain positions, or brand operational capabilities will reap benefits such as brand溢价 from benchmark cases, order sustainability, and strategic positioning advantages in emerging sectors. These factors will ultimately be reflected in the companies' medium-to-long-term growth potential and competitiveness.
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