Tencent Music is reportedly in talks to purchase podcast platform Ximalaya. Photo Credit: Austin Distel
Word of the possible buyout entered the media spotlight in a detail-light report from Bloomberg. As described by the outlet, which cited anonymous and purportedly well-informed sources, the acquisition could bring with it a $2.4 billion price tag.
According to the same source, Tencent Music would put up a combination of cash and stock under the transaction, which could wrap in “the coming weeks.” At the time of writing, neither Tencent Music nor Ximalaya looked to have commented publicly on the matter.
But from a strategic perspective – and despite the gigantic price tag – the play would seemingly make sense for Tencent Music. The profitability-minded business is continuing to focus aggressively on adding subscribers, and a bolstered podcast offering would presumably prove useful on this front.
Furthermore, it’s now been four years and change since the company dropped a reported $415 million on Lazy Audio, which specializes in podcasts and audiobooks. Regarding audience size, various reports have identified strong podcast-listenership growth in China – though the numbers behind the trend appear to be all over the place.
Scheduled to post its Q1 2025 earnings in mid-May, Tencent Music closed out 2024 by reporting north of 120 million paid users. And for last year’s final quarter, the company disclosed an 18% YoY spike in subscription revenue.
Moreover, Tencent Music shares, worth $13.36 apiece when trading concluded today, have seen their value climb by about 18% since 2025’s beginning.
Per regulatory filings, Ximalaya issued 4.61 million shares to the major label for a cool $50 million back in September 2020. Incidentally, reports have further pointed to a sizable Tencent Music holding for Sony Music, which also took a $100 million stake in Cloud Music when it IPO’d in 2021.
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Tencent Music Reportedly Prepares to Acquire Podcast Platform Ximalaya in $2.4 Billion Deal – Digital Music News
