Chinese Video Service Bilibili Expands Globally to Take on YouTube
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19.08.2026 16:03
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2 min read
China’s largest video hosting platform Bilibili has begun its international expansion beyond Asia. The company launched a global hub for international creators, Bilibili Creator Hub, and released an updated main app on the App Store and Google Play with support for 13 languages and built-in AI dubbing.
Unlike Bilibili.tv, which spent years developing in Southeast Asia as a platform for licensed anime, this campaign targets scaling the flagship platform with user-generated content across all categories — from tech and auto reviews to educational videos and streams.
Main App Localization and Platform Scale
The bilibili – All Your Fav Videos app is now available in the US and UK segments of the Apple App Store and has also been updated on Google Play. The client now offers an interface in English, Russian, Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, and other languages.
The platform retains its key signature features, including the danmu system (viewer comments that float over the video).
According to Bilibili’s financial reports, the service’s daily active audience reached 115 million people in Q1 2026, with average usage time of 119 minutes per day per user.
AI Dubbing for Videos and Expansion Barriers
The main technological tool for overcoming the language barrier is the AI Dubbing feature. The built-in neural network automatically translates and voices original Chinese videos into the user’s language in real time, eliminating the need to read subtitles and opening up millions of hours of existing content to international audiences.
Monetization follows YouTube’s hybrid model: basic viewing is free but includes ads, a paid subscription system, and the purchase of virtual currency B-Coins for tipping creators.
Despite having a vast catalog of ready-made videos, the company still needs to address international server infrastructure (users in Oceania are already reporting buffering delays), adapt moderation rules, and set up partner payouts for creators outside China.
