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Tencent replaces chairman at video game live-streaming platform Huya amid regulatory pressure and increased market competition

  • Tencent vice-president Lin Songtao was named the new chairman at Huya, replacing Huang Lingdong who had held that post since April 2020
  • The executive shuffle is expected to bring greater synergies between Tencent’s video gaming and live-streaming businesses

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Despite rising competition in China, video game live-streaming platform Huya has been on a spending spree to obtain the rights to broadcast major esports tournaments, including those based on League of Legends and Honour of Kings. Photo: Shutterstock
Ann Caoin Shanghai
Tencent Holdings, operator of the world’s largest video gaming business by revenue, has appointed a new head for its popular game live-streaming platform Huya amid regulatory pressure and fierce competition in this market.
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Lin Songtao, who serves as a vice-president at Shenzhen-based Tencent, was named Huya’s new chairman effective immediately, replacing Huang Lingdong who had held that post since April 2020, according to a statement on Tuesday from the New York-listed live-streaming service.
Huya and Douyu International Holdings, which are both backed by Tencent, are the two leading video game live-streaming operators in mainland China. Huya also runs live-streaming platform Nimo TV for the overseas market.
Lin, who joined Tencent in 2003, has held management positions within various business lines, including the internet giant’s flagship messaging platform QQ and online video business unit. A public resume of Lin, however, did not show his experience related to Tencent’s video gaming business.
People are seen playing online games at the booth of live-streaming platform operator Huya during the 19th China Digital Entertainment Expo & Conference, held at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre on July 31, 2021. Photo: VCG via Getty Images
People are seen playing online games at the booth of live-streaming platform operator Huya during the 19th China Digital Entertainment Expo & Conference, held at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre on July 31, 2021. Photo: VCG via Getty Images

“His successful experience in various products and businesses will be invaluable as Huya continues to strengthen its position in the game live-streaming market and unlock long-term commercialisation opportunities across the games value chain,” the company said in the statement.

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Huang, the person Lin replaced, became chairman at Huya in 2020 when Tencent acquired a controlling stake in the live-streaming service from social media platform operator JOYY. Huang, who joined Tencent’s Interactive Entertainment Group in 2010, is a veteran in China’s video gaming industry.
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