iQIYI Launches Undercurrent Theater with Successful Debut Drama "Dead of Winter"
iQIYI, a leading Chinese online entertainment platform, has launched Undercurrent Theater, a horizontal-screen short-form suspense drama brand. Its debut series, "Dead of Winter," set in a 1990s northeastern Chinese city, has achieved high audience engagement and commercial success, topping multiple industry rankings. Since its August 4 premiere, it reached a peak content popularity index of 6,638 and generated over RMB5 million in revenue-sharing within five days, with projections exceeding RMB10 million in nine days. The series explores the complex relationship between a community police officer and a criminal investigator.
First-hand measurement across 2 sources
We measured how 2 outlets covered this story. No outlet gave this story a measurable political slant — there is no left–right reading to report. Overall sentiment is positive (82/100). Lens Score 32/100.
Outlets measured: thetribune, thehindu. See how each one headlined and framed the same story in the source comparison below.
AI Analysis
Sentiment was consistent across outlets (78–85/100), indicating broadly factual reporting rather than editorialising.
Coverage timeline
thehindu broke this story on 13 Aug, 09:07 am. Other outlets followed.