| Principal Accounting Policies (Policies) | 12 Months Ended |
| Dec. 31, 2019 |
| Accounting Policies [Abstract] | |
| Basis of presentation, principles of consolidation, and cost allocations | (a) Basis of presentation, principles of consolidation, and cost allocations The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the Company, its subsidiaries, its VIEs and the subsidiaries of the VIEs. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and on a going concern basis. All significant transactions and balances among the Company, its subsidiaries, its VIEs and the subsidiaries of the VIEs have been eliminated upon consolidation. The Company consolidates the VIEs as required by Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 810 Consolidation 2. Principal Accounting Policies (Continued) (a) Basis of presentation, principles of consolidation, and cost allocations (continued) The Group and Phoenix TV Group have engaged in various mutual cooperation activities in content, branding, promotions, technical support and corporate management. The Group and Phoenix TV Group entered into a Program Resource License Agreements and a Program Text/Graphics Resource License Agreements, or the Agreements, effective as of May 27, 2016 and expired on May 26, 2019, to grant the Group the license with priority over any third party to broadcast Phoenix TV Group’s copyrighted video content from three television channels of Phoenix TV Group and a non-exclusive license to use Phoenix TV Group’s copyrighted text and graphics. The fees payable to Phoenix TV Group by the Group are RMB10.0 million for the first year of the Agreements, which would incrementally increase by 15% for each subsequent year of the Agreements. The Agreements do not grant the Group the right to sublicense Phoenix TV Group’s copyrighted content to third parties. As such, the Group does not incur revenue sharing fee to Phoenix TV Group accordingly. After the expiration of the Agreements in May 2019, the Group entered into a supplemental agreement with Phoenix TV Group to extend the term of the Agreements to January 14, 2020. Subsequently, the Group entered into a program resource license and cooperation agreement with Phoenix TV Group on January 15, 2020, or the 2020 Program Resource License and Cooperation Agreement, to continue to use Phoenix TV Group’s copyrighted video content. The annual license fees payable to Phoenix TV Group under the 2020 Program Resource License and Cooperation Agreement are RMB2.0 million plus 50% of the revenue generated from the use of the licensed program resource in excess of RMB2.0 million. The 2020 Program Resource License and Cooperation Agreement have a term of two years and may be extended prior to expiration. The Group and Phoenix TV Group entered into new trademark license agreements in December 2017, which became effective on December 8, 2017 and will expire on December 7, 2020. Compared to the original trademark license agreements, effective from November 2009 and expired in December 2017, the new trademark license agreements no longer allow the Group to use the double-phoenix logo of Phoenix TV Group on a stand-alone basis and have increased the annual license fee payable to Phoenix TV Group from a total of US$10,000 to the greater of 2% of the annual revenues of Tianying Jiuzhou and Yifeng Lianhe or US$100,000 for each company. Apart from the above cooperation agreements, Phoenix TV Group also paid certain expenses on behalf of the Group, such as data line usage and other general and administrative expenses, which the Group needed to settle with Phoenix TV Group based on the actual amount, and were recorded in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income/(loss). The Group also earned and recorded advertising revenues from Phoenix TV Group by providing joint advertising campaign solutions together with Phoenix TV Group to Phoenix TV Group’s advertisers or from providing the advertising and promotion services directly to Phoenix TV Group by entering into advertising-for-advertising barter transactions. |
| Use of estimates | (b) Use of estimates The preparation of the Group’s consolidated financial statements in conformity with the U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ materially from such estimates. The Group bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities. |
| Business combinations and noncontrolling interests | (c) Business combinations and noncontrolling interests The Group accounts for its business combinations using the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with ASC 805 Business Combinations 2. Principal Accounting Policies (Continued) (c) Business combinations and noncontrolling interests (continued) In a business combination achieved in stages, the Group re-measures the previously held equity interest in the acquiree immediately before obtaining control at its acquisition date fair value and the re-measurement gain or loss, if any, is recognized in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income/(loss). When there is a change in ownership interests or a change in contractual arrangements that results in a loss of control of a subsidiary, the Group deconsolidates the subsidiary from the date control is lost. Any retained noncontrolling investment in the former subsidiary is measured at fair value and is included in the calculation of the gain or loss upon deconsolidation of the subsidiary. For the Group’s non-wholly owned subsidiaries, a noncontrolling interest is recognized to reflect portion of equity that is not attributable, directly or indirectly, to the Group. When the noncontrolling interest is contingently redeemable upon the occurrence of a conditional event, which is not solely within the control of the Group, the noncontrolling interest is classified as mezzanine equity. Transactions with changes in the Group’s ownership interest while it retains its controlling financial interest in its subsidiary shall be accounted for as equity transactions. Therefore, no gain or loss shall be recognized in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income/(loss). The carrying amount of the noncontrolling interest shall be adjusted to reflect the change in its ownership interest in the subsidiary. Any difference between the fair value of the consideration received or paid and the amount by which the noncontrolling interest is adjusted shall be recognized in equity attributable to the Group. Consolidated net income/(loss) in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income/(loss) includes net income or loss attributable to noncontrolling interests. The cumulative results of operations attributable to noncontrolling interests, along with adjustments for share-based compensation expense arising from outstanding share-based awards relating to the subsidiaries’ shares, are also recorded as noncontrolling interests in the Group’s consolidated balance sheets. Cash flows related to transactions with noncontrolling interests are presented under financing activities in the consolidated statements of cash flows. |
| Foreign currency translation | (d) Foreign currency translation The Group uses Renminbi (“RMB”) as its reporting currency. The Company’s operations in the PRC and other regions use their respective currencies as their functional currencies. In the consolidated financial statements, the financial information of the Company and its subsidiaries, which use U.S. dollars or Hong Kong dollars as their functional currency, have been translated into RMB at the exchange rates quoted by the People’s Bank of China (the “PBOC”). Assets and liabilities are translated at the exchange rates on the balance sheet date, equity amounts are translated at historical exchange rates, and revenues, expenses, gains, and losses are translated using the average rate for the period. Translation adjustments arising from these are reported as foreign currency translation adjustments and have been shown as a component of other comprehensive loss or income in the consolidated statements of shareholders’ equity and the consolidated statements of comprehensive income/(loss). Foreign currency transactions denominated in currencies other than functional currency are translated into the functional currency using the exchange rates prevailing on the dates of the transactions. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies on the balance sheet date are remeasured at the applicable rates of exchange in effect on that date. Foreign currency exchange gain or loss resulting from the settlement of such transactions and from remeasurement at period-end is recognized in foreign currency exchange gain or loss in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income/(loss). |
| Convenience translation | (e) Convenience translation Translations of amounts from RMB into US$ for the convenience of the reader were calculated at the noon buying rate of US$1.00 = RMB6.9618 on December 31, 2019 as set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the U.S. Federal Reserve Board. No representation is made that the RMB amounts could have been, or could be, converted into US$ at such rate. 2. Principal Accounting Policies (Continued) |
| Fair value of financial instruments | (f) Fair value of financial instruments U.S. GAAP establishes a three-tier hierarchy to prioritize the inputs used in the valuation methodologies in measuring the fair value of financial instruments. This hierarchy also requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The three-tier fair value hierarchy is: Level 1— Observable inputs that reflect quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets Level 2— Include other inputs that are directly or indirectly observable in the marketplace Level 3— Unobservable inputs which are supported by little or no market activity U.S. GAAP describes three main approaches to measuring the fair value of assets and liabilities: (1) market approach; (2) income approach and (3) cost approach. The market approach uses prices and other relevant information generated from market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities. The income approach uses valuation techniques to convert future amounts to a single present value amount. The measurement is based on the value indicated by current market expectations about those future amounts. The cost approach is based on the amount that would currently be required to replace an asset. In some circumstances, a combined approach of the aforementioned three approaches may be used to measure the fair values. The Group’s financial instruments include cash equivalents, term deposits, short term investments, restricted cash, accounts receivable, amounts due from related parties, prepayments and other current assets, financial assets — contingent returnable consideration, available-for-sale debt investments, equity investments without readily determinable fair values, forward contract, accounts payable, amounts due to related parties, salary and welfare payable, accrued expense, short-term bank loans and other current liabilities and other non-current assets. Refer to Note 21 for details. |
| Cash and cash equivalents | (g) Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents represent cash on hand, demand deposits, time deposits and highly liquid investments placed with banks or other financial institutions, which are unrestricted to withdrawal or use, and which have original maturities of three months or less. |
| Term deposits, short term investments | (h) Term deposits, short term investments Term deposits represent term deposits placed with banks with original maturities of more than three months and up to one year. Short term investments represent investments in financial instruments with a variable interest rate indexed to performance of underlying assets and investments that the Group has positive intent and ability to hold to maturity, all of which are with original maturity of less than 12 months. In accordance with ASC 825, for investments in financial instruments with a variable interest rate indexed to performance of underlying assets, the Group elected the fair value method at the date of initial recognition and carried these investments at fair value. Fair value is estimated based on quoted prices of similar products provided by banks at the end of each period. The Group classifies the valuation techniques that use these inputs as Level 2 of fair value measurements. Please see Note 21 for additional information. |
| Restricted cash | (i) Restricted cash Restricted cash represents deposits placed as security for banking facilities granted to the Group, and deposits placed in accounts co-managed with third-parties related to the real estate services, which are restricted to withdrawal or usage. 2. Principal Accounting Policies (Continued) |
| Accounts receivable, net | (j) Accounts receivable, net Accounts receivable is the Group’s right to consideration that is unconditional, and the right to consideration is unconditional if only the passage of time is required before payment of that consideration is due. The carrying value of accounts receivable is reduced by an allowance that reflects the Group’s best estimate of the amounts that will not be collected. Many factors are considered in estimating the general allowance, including but not limited to reviewing accounts receivable balances, historical bad debt rates, aging analysis, customer credit worthiness and industry trend analysis. The Group also makes the specific allowance if there is evidence showing that the receivable is unlikely to be collected. Accounts receivable balances are written off against the allowance when they are determined to be uncollectible. All accounts receivable balances are presented as accounts receivables, net in the consolidated balance sheets. Refer to Note 5 for details. |
| Convertible loans due from a related party | (k) Convertible loans due from a related party Convertible loans due from a related party represent short-term loans advanced to a related party of which the Group may at its option to convert all or a portion into preferred shares. The Group has determined that the convertible loans are not within the scope ASC 320 Investment — debt and equity securities Receivables |
| Property and equipment, net | (l) Property and equipment, net Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment. Property and equipment are depreciated over the following estimated useful lives on a straight-line basis:
Estimated Useful Lives
Computers
3 years
Equipment, furniture and motor vehicles
5 years
Leasehold improvements
Lesser of lease terms or the estimated useful lives of the assets Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. The gain or loss on the disposal of property and equipment is the difference between the net sales proceeds and the carrying amount of the relevant assets and is recognized in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income/(loss). |
| Intangible assets, net | (m) Intangible assets, net Intangible assets acquired through business acquisitions are recognized as assets separate from goodwill if they satisfy either the “contractual-legal” or “separability” criterion. Intangible assets mainly consist of computer software purchased from unrelated third parties, operating rights for licensed games, licensed copyrights of reading content, audio content, user base, and trademark and domain names. Intangible assets are stated at cost less impairment and accumulated amortization, which is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Separately identifiable intangible assets that have determinable lives continue to be amortized over their estimated useful lives using the straight-line method as follows:
Estimated Useful Lives
Computer software
5 years
Trademark and domain names
10 years
Licensed copyrights of reading content
Lesser of the licensed period or 5 years
Audio content
5 years
User base
0.8 years
License and licensed games
Estimated life cycle The Group amortizes the licensed copyrights in “cost of revenues” on a straight-line basis. 2. Principal Accounting Policies (Continued) |
| Available-for-sale debt investments | (n) Available-for-sale debt investments In accordance with ASC 320 Investments-Debt and Equity Securities |
| Equity investments | (o) Equity investments Investments in entities in which the Group can exercise significant influence but does not own a majority equity interest or control are accounted for using the equity method of accounting in accordance with ASC 323 Investments-Equity Method and Joint Ventures The Group adopted ASU 2016-1 Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities Investments-Other: Cost Method Investments An impairment loss on the equity investments is recognized in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income/(loss) when the decline in value is determined to be other-than-temporary. 2. Principal Accounting Policies (Continued) |
| Goodwill | (p) Goodwill Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase consideration over the fair value of the identifiable tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination. Goodwill is not amortized but is tested for impairment on an annual basis, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that it might be impaired. The Group first assesses qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to perform the two-step quantitative goodwill impairment test. In the qualitative assessment, the Group considers primary factors such as industry and market considerations, overall financial performance of the reporting unit, and other specific information related to the operations. Based on the qualitative assessment, if it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than the carrying amount, the quantitative impairment test is performed. In performing the two-step quantitative impairment test, the first step compares the fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill is not considered to be impaired and the second step will not be required. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the second step compares the implied fair value of goodwill to the carrying value of a reporting unit’s goodwill. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined in a manner similar to accounting for a business combination with the allocation of the assessed fair value determined in the first step to the assets and liabilities of the reporting unit. The excess of the fair value of the reporting unit over the amounts assigned to the assets and liabilities is the implied fair value of goodwill. This allocation process is only performed for the purposes of evaluating goodwill impairment and does not result in an entry to adjust the value of any assets or liabilities. Application of a goodwill impairment test requires significant management judgment, including the identification of reporting units, allocation of assets, liabilities and goodwill to reporting units, and determination of the fair value of each reporting unit. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment to have a significant |
| Impairment of long-lived assets | (q) Impairment of long-lived assets Long-lived assets such as property and equipment and intangible assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in the circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. When these events occur, the Group assesses the recoverability of the long-lived assets by comparing the carrying amount to the estimated future undiscounted cash flows associated from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition, and recognize an impairment of long-lived assets when the carrying value of such assets exceeds the estimated future undiscounted cash flows such assets is expected to generate. If the Group identifies an impairment, the Group reduces the carrying amount of the assets or asset group to its estimated fair value based on a discounted cash flow approach or, when available and appropriate, to comparable market values. 2. Principal Accounting Policies (Continued) |
| ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers | (r) ASC 606 Revenue from Contracts with Customers On January 1, 2018, the Group adopted ASC 606 Revenue from Contracts with Customers Revenue Recognition In 2019, the Group re-classified paid services revenues (see Note 2(s)). For comparison purposes, the revenues from paid services for the years of 2017 and 2018 have been retrospectively re-classified. The following table presents the Group’s revenues disaggregated by products and services (in thousands):
For the Years Ended December 31,
2017
2018
2019
2019
RMB
RMB
RMB
US$
Net advertising revenues
1,353,480
1,198,271
1,263,485
181,488
Paid services revenues
221,612
179,108
267,577
38,435
Revenues from paid contents
77,675
95,044
205,360
29,498
Revenues from games
27,463
14,727
14,169
2,035
Revenues from MVAS
108,567
55,037
18,499
2,657
Revenues from others
7,907
14,300
29,549
4,245
Total
1,575,092
1,377,379
1,531,062
219,923
Contract balances Timing of revenue recognition may differ from the timing of invoicing to customers. Contract asset represents the Group’s right to consideration in exchange for goods or services that it has transferred to a customer when that right is conditioned on something other than the passage of time (for example, the entity’s future performance). Accounts receivable represent amounts invoiced and revenue recognized prior to invoicing, when the Group has satisfied its performance obligations and has the unconditional right to payment. Contract assets as of December 31, 2018 and 2019 were not material. If a customer pays consideration, or the Group has a right to an amount of consideration that is unconditional (that is, a receivable), before the Group transfers a good or service to the customer, the Group shall present the contract as a contract liability when the payment is made or the payment is due (whichever is earlier). A contract liability is the Group’s obligation to transfer goods or services to a customer for which it has received consideration (or an amount of consideration is due) from the customer. Receipts in advance and deferred revenue relate to unsatisfied performance obligations at the end of the period and primarily consist of fees received from advertisers. Due to the generally short-term duration of the contracts, the majority of the performance obligations are satisfied in the following reporting period. Contract liability is presented as advances from customers in the balance sheet. Revenues recognized for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2019 that were included in the contract liability balance at the beginning of the period were RMB47.7 million and RMB44.7 million (US$6.4 million), respectively. 2. Principal Accounting Policies (Continued) (r) ASC 606 Revenue from Contracts with Customers (continued) The assets recognized for costs incurred to fulfill contracts shall be amortized on a systematic basis that is consistent with the transfer to the customer of the goods or services to which the asset relates. As of December 31, 2018 and 2019, the costs incurred to fulfill contracts recognized as assets were immaterial. Practical expedients The Group has used the following practical expedients as allowed under ASC 606:
i.
The transaction price allocated to the performance obligations that are unsatisfied, or partially unsatisfied, has not been disclosed as substantially all of the Group’s contracts have duration of one year or less.
ii.
Payment terms and conditions vary by contract type, although terms generally include a requirement of prepayment or payment within one year or less. In instances where the timing of revenue recognition differs from the timing of invoicing, the Group has determined that its contracts generally do not include a significant financing component.
iii.
The Group generally expenses sales commissions when incurred because the amortization period would be one year or less. These costs are recorded within sales and marketing expenses. |
| Revenue recognition | (s) Revenue recognition According to ASC 606, revenue is recognized when control of the promised services is transferred to the customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration the Group expects to be entitled to in exchange for those services. The recognition of revenues involves certain management judgments, including the estimation of the fair value of the noncash transaction, estimated lives of virtual items purchased by game players, and volume sales rebates. The Group does not believe that significant management judgments are involved in revenue recognition, but the amount and timing of the Group’s revenues could be different for any period if management made different judgments or utilized different estimates. The Group adopts the five-step model for recognizing revenue from contracts with customers: Step 1: Identify the contract(s) with a customer, Step 2: Identify the performance obligations in the contract, Step 3: Determine the transaction price, Step 4: Allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract, Step 5: Recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation. (i) Advertising revenues are derived principally from advertising contracts with customers where the advertisers pay to place their advertisements on the Group’s ifeng.com, mobile Internet website i.ifeng.com and its mobile applications in different formats over a particular period of time. Such formats generally include but are not limited to banners, news feed, text-links, videos, logos, buttons and rich media. The Group’s performance obligations are to place the customers’ advertisements on different spots, in different formats and at different times. The Group’s contracts with customers may include multiple performance obligations. For such arrangements, the Group allocates revenues to each performance obligation based on its relative standalone selling price. The Group generally determines standalone selling prices of each distinct performance obligation based on the prices charged to customers when sold on a standalone basis. Where standalone selling price is not directly observable, the Group generally estimates selling prices based on the publicly published advertising rate card, times the relevant discount rates, taking into considerations of the historical trend, the pricing of advertising areas sold with similar popularities, advertisements with similar formats and quoted prices from competitors, and other relevant market conditions. 2. Principal Accounting Policies (Continued) (s) Revenue recognition (continued) (i) The Group recognizes revenue on the satisfied performance obligations and defers the recognition of revenue for the estimated value of the undelivered elements until the remaining performance obligations have been satisfied. When all of the elements within an arrangement are delivered uniformly over the agreement period, the revenues are recognized on a straight-line basis over the contract period. Currently the advertising business has three main types of pricing models, consisting of the Cost Per Day (“CPD”) model, the Cost Per Impression (“CPM”) model, and the Cost Per Click (“CPC”) model. CPD model Under the CPD model, a contract is signed to establish a fixed price for the advertising services to be provided over a period of time. Given the advertisers benefit from the displayed advertising evenly, the Group recognizes revenue on a straight-line basis over the period of display, provided all revenue recognition criteria have been met. CPM model Under the CPM model, the unit price for each qualifying display is fixed and stated in the contract with the advertiser. A qualifying display is defined as the appearance of an advertisement, where the advertisement meets criteria specified in the contract. Given that the fees are priced consistently throughout the contract and the unit prices are consistent with the Group’s pricing practices with similar customers, the Group recognizes revenue based on the fixed unit prices and the number of qualifying displays upon occurrence of display, provided and all revenue recognition criteria have been met. CPC model Under the CPC model, there is no fixed price for advertising services stated in the contract with the advertiser and the unit price for each click is auction-based. The Group charges advertisers on a per-click basis, when the users click on the advertisements. Given that the fees are priced consistently throughout the contract and the unit prices are consistent with the Group’s pricing practices with similar customers, the Group recognizes revenue based on qualifying clicks and the unit price upon the occurrence of a click, provided all revenue recognition criteria have been met. Agency service fees to third-party advertising agencies Certain customers may receive sales rebates, which are accounted for as variable consideration. The Group estimates annual expected revenue volume of each individual agent with reference to their historical results. The sales rebate will reduce revenues recognized. The Group recognizes revenue for the amount of fees it receives from its advertisers, after deducting sales rebates and net of value-added tax (“VAT”) and related surcharges. The Group believes that there will not be significant changes to its estimates of variable consideration. The Group has estimated and recorded RMB223.3 million, RMB215.2 million and RMB180.7 million (US$26.0 million) in agency service fees to third-party advertising agencies for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively. Noncash transactions The Group enters into contracts with certain customers involving consideration in a form other than cash. The noncash consideration (or promise of noncash consideration) shall be measured at fair value. If the Group cannot reasonably estimate the fair value of the noncash consideration, it shall measure the consideration indirectly by reference to the standalone selling price of the goods or services promised to the customer (or class of customer) in exchange for the consideration. The Group recognized revenue from noncash transactions involving exchanging advertising services for advertisement, content, technical, application pre-installation services and others amounted to RMB4.4 million, RMB17.8 million and RMB8.7 million (US$1.3 million) for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively, of which RMB4.7 million and RMB7.4 million (US$1.1 million) representing revenue from advertising-for-advertising barter transactions for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2019, respectively. 2. Principal Accounting Policies (Continued) (s) Revenue recognition (continued) (ii) Paid services revenues Prior to 2019, paid services revenues comprised of (i) revenues from digital entertainment, which included MVAS and digital reading, and (ii) revenues from games and others, which included web-based games, mobile games, content sales, and other online and mobile paid services through the Group’s own platforms. Beginning from January 1, 2019, paid services revenues have been re-classified and now comprise of (i) revenues from paid contents, which includes digital reading, audio books, paid videos, and other content-related sales activities, (ii) revenues from games, which includes web-based games and mobile games, (iii) revenues from MVAS, and (iv) revenues from others. For comparison purposes, the revenues from paid services for the years of 2017 and 2018 have been retrospectively re-classified. Paid contents Paid contents revenues mainly comprise of revenues generated from digital reading, audio books, paid videos, and other content-related sales activities. Digital reading Digital reading revenues are derived from providing fee-based internet literatures from writers and digital format books licensed from third-party publishers to customers on both of the Group’s PC and mobile platforms, and on third-party platforms. Most revenues generated from digital reading are recorded on a gross basis and recognized evenly over the subscription period, or in the period in which a pay-per-view service is provided, as the Group is responsible for providing the desired services to the customers and has primary responsibility and broad discretion to establish price, and therefore the Group is considered the primary obligor in these transactions. Digital reading revenues generated from third-party platforms are recorded on a net basis. Audio books Audio books revenues are derived from the sale of copyright of audio books to third parties and licensing audio books to third parties. With respect to the sale of copyright of audio books, the Group is determined to be the primary obligor and accordingly, the Group records its revenues on a gross basis. With respect to the revenues that derived from licensing audio books to third parties, the Group evaluated and determined it is not the primary obligor in the service rendered to the end users and accordingly, the Group records its revenues based on the portion of the sharing of revenues that derives from third parties. The Group recognizes revenue on the satisfied performance obligations and defers the recognition of revenue for the estimated value of the undelivered elements until the remaining performance obligations have been satisfied. Paid videos The Group generates revenues from licensing video content to third parties. For such content sales transactions, the Group earns up-front fixed- amount license fees or revenue sharing fees based on pre-agreed percentage. The Group views the third parties as customers and recognizes revenues on a net basis during the licensing periods, provided that no significant obligation remains, collection of the receivables is reasonably assured and the amounts can be accurately estimated. 2. Principal Accounting Policies (Continued) (s) Revenue recognition (continued) (ii) Paid services revenues (continued) Games Games include web-based games and mobile games. Revenues from these services are recognized over the periods in which the services are performed, provided that no significant obligations remain, collection of the receivables is reasonably assured and the amounts can be accurately estimated. For web-based game services, all of the web-based games provided on the Group’s platforms are developed by third-party game developers and can be accessed and played by game players without downloading separate software. The Group primarily views the game developers to be its customers and considers its responsibility under its agreements with the game developers to be promotion of the game developers’ games. The Group collects payments from game players in connection with the sale of in-game virtual currencies and remits certain agreed-upon percentages of the proceeds to the game developers. Revenue from the sale of in-game virtual currency is recorded net of remittances to game developers and deferred until the estimated consumption date of the virtual items, which is within a short period of time, typically a few days, after purchase of the in-game virtual currency. MVAS MVAS revenues are derived from providing mobile phone users with mobile newspaper services, mobile game services delivered through the telecom operators’ platforms, mobile video services, wireless value-added services (“WVAS”) through telecom operators’ platforms. Revenues from MVAS are charged on a monthly or per-usage basis, and are recognized in the period in which the service is performed, provided that no significant obligation remains, collection of the receivables is reasonably assured and the amounts can be accurately estimated. Most revenues from mobile newspaper services, mobile video services and most WVAS are recorded on a net basis as the Group is acting as an agent of operators in these transactions. Others Other paid service revenues mainly comprise of revenues generated from E-commerce and online real estate related services. Revenues are recognized in the period in which the service is performed, provided that no significant obligation remains, collection of the receivables is reasonably assured and the amounts can be accurately estimated. |
| Sales taxes and related surcharges and other surcharges | (t) Sales taxes and related surcharges and other surcharges The Group is subject to value-added tax (“VAT”) and related surcharges on the revenues earned for services provided in the PRC. The primary applicable rate of VAT is 6.0% for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019. The Group is also subject to a cultural development fee on the provision of advertising services in the PRC and the applicable tax rate is 3% of the net advertising revenues before July 1, 2019 and 1.5% after July 1, 2019. The VAT and the cultural development fee were included in the cost of revenues under ASC 605 for the year ended December 31, 2017, and have been recorded as a reduction item of revenues under ASC 606 since January 1, 2018. Other surcharges mainly comprised of urban maintenance and construction tax and education surcharges. The urban maintenance and construction tax are charged at 7%, 5% or 1% of the amount of VAT actually paid depending on where the taxpayer is located. Education surcharges are charged at 3% of the amount of VAT actually paid and local education surcharges are charged at 2% or 1% of the amount of VAT actually paid depending on where the taxpayer is located. The urban maintenance and construction tax, education surcharges and local education surcharges are recorded in the cost of revenues in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income/(loss). The sales taxes and related surcharges and other surcharges for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019 were RMB133.2 million, RMB127.6 million and RMB128.3 million (US$18.4 million), respectively. 2. Principal Accounting Policies (Continued) |
| Cost of revenues | (u) Cost of revenues The Group’s cost of revenues consists primarily of (i) revenue sharing fees, including service fees retained by mobile telecommunications operators, which are recognized as cost of revenues for revenues recorded on gross basis and revenue sharing fees paid to the Group’s channel and content partners, (ii) content and operational costs, including personnel-related cost associated with content production and certain advertisement sales support personnel, content procurement costs to third-party professional media companies and to Phoenix TV Group, direct costs related to in-house content production, channel testing costs, rental cost, depreciation and amortization, the urban maintenance and construction tax, education surcharges and local education surcharges, and other miscellaneous costs, and (iii) bandwidth costs. |
| Sales and marketing expenses | (v) Sales and marketing expenses Sales and marketing expenses comprise primarily of: (i) personnel-related expenses including sales commissions related to the sales and marketing personnel; (ii) advertising and promotion expenses including traffic acquisition expenses; and (iii) rental expense, depreciation and amortization expenses. The Group expenses advertising costs as incurred. Total advertising and promotion expenses including traffic acquisition expenses were RMB329.7 million, RMB376.7 million and RMB385.4 million (US$55.4 million), for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively. Total advertising and promotion expenses from advertising-for-advertising barter transactions of RMB4.3 million and RMB7.3 million (US$1.0 million) were recognized in the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2019, respectively. |
| Technology and product development expenses | (w) Technology and product development expenses Technology and product development expenses mainly consist of: (i) personnel-related expenses associated with the development of, enhancement to, and maintenance of the Group’s PC websites, mobile applications and mobile websites; (ii) expenses associated with new technology and product development and enhancement; and (iii) rental expense and depreciation of servers. The Group expenses technology and product development expenses as incurred for all the years presented. |
| Operating leases and adoption of ASU 2016-02 | (x) Operating leases and adoption of ASU 2016-02 On February 25, 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02 Leases (Topic 842) The Group applied ASU 2016-02 beginning from January 1, 2019 and elected to apply practical expedients permitted under the transition method that allow the Group to use the beginning of the period of adoption as the date of initial application, to not recognize lease assets and lease liabilities for leases with a term of twelve months or less, and to not reassess lease classification, treatment of initial direct costs, or whether an existing or expired contract contains a lease. The Group used modified retrospective method and did not recast the prior comparative periods. Under the new lease standard, the Group determines if an arrangement is or contains a lease at inception. Right-of-use assets and liabilities are recognized at lease commencement date based on the present value of remaining lease payments over the lease terms. The Group considers only payments that are fixed and determinable at the time of lease commencement. As a result of the adoption, the Group recorded a right-of-use asset of approximately RMB99.5 million and a lease liability of approximately RMB99.5 million upon the adoption of ASU 2016-02 on January 1, 2019, primarily related to the Group’s leased office space. The adoption had no material impact on the Group’s consolidated statements of comprehensive income/(loss) for the year ended December 31, 2019 or the opening balances of retained earnings as of January 1, 2019. 2. Principal Accounting Policies (Continued) (x) Operating leases and adoption of ASU 2016-02 (continued) As of December 31, 2019, the Group’s operating leases had a weighted average remaining lease term of 2.37 years and a weighted average discount rate of 5.60%. Future lease payments under operating leases as of December 31, 2019 were as follows (in thousands):
Operating Leases
RMB
US$
Year ending December 31,
2020
44,109
6,336
2021
35,706
5,129
2022
16,052
2,306
2023
291
42
Total future lease payments
96,158
13,813
Less: Imputed interest
5,895
848
Total lease liability balance
90,263
12,965
Future lease payments under operating leases as of December 31, 2018 were as follows (in thousands):
Operating Leases
RMB
Year ending December 31,
2019
38,222
2020
38,270
2021
38,314
2022
18,980
Total future lease payments
133,786
Rent expense under operating leases was RMB37.0 million and RMB37.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively. Operating lease costs and expenses for the year ended December 31, 2019 was RMB40.4 million (US$5.8 million), which excluded costs and expenses of short-term contracts. Short-term lease costs and expenses for the year ended December 31, 2019 was RMB1.9 million (US$0.3 million). Supplemental cash flow information related to operating leases was as follows (in thousands)
For the Year
Ended December 31, 2019
RMB
US$
Cash payments for operating leases
37,713
5,417
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for operating lease liabilities
22,388
3,216 |
| Share-based compensation | (y) Share-based compensation The Group has incentive plans for the granting of share-based awards, such as share options and restricted shares. The Group measures the cost of employee services received in exchange for share-based compensation at the grant date fair value of the award. The Group recognizes the share-based compensation as costs or expenses in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income/(loss), net of estimated forfeitures, on a graded-vesting basis over the vesting term of the awards. The Group recognizes compensation cost for awards with performance conditions if and when the Group concludes that it is probable that the performance condition will be achieved and should reassess the probability of vesting at each reporting period for awards with performance conditions and adjust compensation cost based on its probability assessment. The Group recognizes a cumulative catch-up adjustment for changes in its probability assessment in subsequent reporting periods. 2. Principal Accounting Policies (Continued) (y) Share-based compensation (continued) The share-based awards to nonemployees are accounted for based on the fair value of the consideration received or the fair value of the award issued, whichever is more reliably measurable. Share-based compensation expense for share options granted to non-employees is measured at fair value at the earlier of the performance commitment date or the date service is completed and recognized over the period during which the service is provided. The Company applies the guidance in ASU 2018-07 Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting Cancellation of an award accompanied by the concurrent grant of a replacement award is accounted for as a modification of the terms of the cancelled award (“modification awards”). The compensation costs associated with the modification awards are recognized if either the original vesting condition or the new vesting condition has been achieved. Such compensation costs cannot be less than the grant-date fair value of the original award. The incremental compensation cost is measured as the excess of the fair value of the replacement award over the fair value of the cancelled award at the cancellation date. Therefore, in relation to the modification awards, the Group recognizes share-based compensation over the vesting periods of the new awards, which comprises (i) the amortization of the incremental portion of share-based compensation over the remaining vesting term and (ii) any unrecognized compensation cost of original award, using either the original term or the new term, whichever is higher for each reporting period. The Group adopts the Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine the fair value of share options, and determines the fair value of restricted share and restricted share units based on the fair value of the underlying ordinary shares at the grant date considering the dilutive effect of restricted share and restricted share units. Forfeiture rates are estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from initial estimates. The Group uses historical data to estimate pre-vesting option and restricted share unit forfeitures and record share-based compensation only for those awards that are expected to vest. Refer to Note 19 for further information regarding share-based compensation assumptions and expenses. In 2019, the Company declared a special cash compensation to its option holders, concurrent with the As the Company’s share options are not dividend-protected award, the option holders have no rights to participate in all dividends before excising the options. The compensation cost of RMB31.6 million (US$4.5 million) were recognized as 2019. |
| Income taxes | (z) Income taxes Current income taxes are provided on the basis of net income for financial reporting purposes, adjusted for income and expense items which are not assessable or deductible for income tax purposes, in accordance with the regulations of the relevant tax jurisdictions. Deferred income taxes are provided using an asset and liability method. Under this method, deferred income taxes are recognized for the tax consequences of temporary differences by applying enacted statutory rates applicable to future years to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of existing assets and liabilities. The tax base of an asset or liability is the amount attributed to that asset or liability for tax purpose. The effect on deferred taxes of a change in tax rates is recognized in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income/(loss) in the period of change. A valuation allowance is provided to reduce the amount of deferred tax assets if it is considered more likely than not that some portion of, or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Uncertain tax positions In order to assess uncertain tax positions, the Group applies a more likely than not threshold and a two-step approach for the tax position measurement and financial statement recognition. Under the two-step approach, the first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates that it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes, if any. The second step is to measure the tax benefit as the largest amount that is more than 50% likely of being realized upon settlement. The Group did not have significant unrecognized uncertain tax positions or any unrecognized liabilities, interest or penalties associated with unrecognized tax benefit as of and for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019. Refer to Note 17 for details of the Group’s tax positions. 2. Principal Accounting Policies (Continued) |
| Employee social security and welfare benefits | (aa) Employee social security and welfare benefits The Company’s subsidiaries and consolidated VIEs in the PRC participate in a government-mandated multi-employer defined contribution plan pursuant to which certain retirement, medical and other welfare benefits are provided to employees. The relevant labor regulations require the Company’s subsidiaries and consolidated VIEs in the PRC to pay the local labor and social welfare authorities monthly contributions at a stated contribution rate based on the monthly basic compensation of qualified employees. The relevant local labor and social welfare authorities are responsible for meeting all retirement benefits obligations and the Company’s subsidiaries and consolidated VIEs in the PRC have no further commitments beyond their monthly contributions. The contributions to the plan are expensed as incurred. Employee social security and welfare benefits included as cost and expenses in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income/(loss) were RMB79.4 million, RMB84.3 million and RMB113.7 million (US$16.3 million) for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively. |
| Other income - Others, net | (ab) Other income — Others, net Other income —Others, net mainly represent government subsidies which primarily consist of financial subsidies received from provincial and local governments for operating a business in their jurisdictions. Such income has been recognized when the grants are received and no further conditions need to be met. |
| Statutory reserves | (ac) Statutory reserves In accordance with the laws applicable to China’s Foreign Investment Enterprises, those of the Company’s China-based subsidiaries that are considered under PRC law to be a wholly foreign-owned enterprise are required to make appropriations from their after-tax profit (as determined under the Accounting Standards for Business Enterprises as promulgated by the Ministry of Finance of the People’s Republic of China (“PRC GAAP”)) to non-distributable reserve funds including (i) general reserve fund, (ii) enterprise expansion fund and (iii) staff bonus and welfare fund. The appropriation to the general reserve fund must be at least 10% of the after-tax profits calculated in accordance with PRC GAAP. Appropriation is not required if the general reserve fund has reached 50% of the registered capital of the respective company. Appropriations to the other two reserve funds are at the respective companies’ discretion. In accordance with the China Company Laws, those China-based subsidiaries of the Company that are considered under PRC law to be domestically funded enterprises, as well as the Company’s VIEs are required to make appropriations from their after-tax profit (as determined under PRC GAAP) to non-distributable reserve funds including (i) statutory surplus fund and (ii) discretionary surplus fund. The appropriation to the statutory surplus fund must be at least 10% of the after-tax profits calculated in accordance with PRC GAAP. Appropriation is not required if the statutory surplus fund has reached 50% of the registered capital of the respective company. Appropriation to the discretionary surplus fund is at the discretion of the respective company. General reserve fund and statutory surplus fund are restricted for set off against losses, expansion of production and operation or increase in the registered capital of the respective company. The Group has made appropriations of RMB3.3 million, RMB6.4 million and RMB1.0 million (US$0.1 million) to these funds for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively. |
| Related parties | (ad) Related parties Parties are considered to be related if one party has the ability, directly or indirectly, to control the other party or exercise significant influence over the other party in making financial and operating decisions. Parties are also considered to be related if they are subject to common control or significant influence, such as a family member or relative, shareholders, or a related corporation. |
| Dividends | (ae) Dividends Dividends are charged to retained earnings when declared. No dividends were declared for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018. In 2019, the Group declared a special cash dividend of US$0.1714 per ordinary share, equivalent to US$1.3712 per ADS, totaling approximately US$100 million, and had paid the dividends to shareholders in December 2019. 2. Principal Accounting Policies (Continued) |
| Net income/(loss) per share | (af) Net income/(loss) per share The Group computes net income/(loss) per Class A and Class B ordinary share in accordance with ASC 260-10 Earnings Per Share: Overall The liquidation and dividend rights of the holders of the Company’s Class A and Class B ordinary shares are identical, except with respect to voting. As the liquidation and dividend rights are identical, the net incomes are allocated on a proportionate basis. Basic net income/(loss) per share is computed by dividing net income/(loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders by the weighted average number of ordinary shares and contingently issuable shares outstanding during the period except that it does not include unvested restricted shares or repurchased ordinary shares subject to cancellation. Diluted net income/(loss) per share is calculated by dividing net income/(loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders, as adjusted for the effect of dilutive potential ordinary shares, if any, by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding and dilutive potential ordinary shares during the period. Potential ordinary shares are excluded in the denominator of the diluted net income/(loss) per share calculation if their effects would be anti-dilutive. |
| Comprehensive income/(loss) | (ag) Comprehensive income/(loss) Comprehensive income/(loss) is defined as the change in equity of the Group during a period arising from transactions and other events and circumstances excluding transactions resulting from investments by shareholders and distributions to shareholders. Comprehensive income is reported in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income/(loss). Accumulated other comprehensive loss or income, as presented on the Group’s consolidated balance sheets, includes the foreign currency translation adjustment and fair value remeasurement for available-for-sale debt investments. The tax effects of pre-tax changes to other comprehensive income should be recorded net against the pre-tax changes in other comprehensive income. |
| Segment reporting | (ah) Segment reporting The Group’s segments are business units that offer different services and are reviewed separately by the chief operating decision maker (the “CODM”) in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. The Group’s CODM has been identified as the Chief Executive Officer. As the Group’s long-lived assets and revenues are substantially located in and derived from the PRC, no geographical segments are presented. The Group’s organizational structure is based on a number of factors that the CODM uses to evaluate, view and run the Group’s business operations, which include, but are not limited to, customer base, homogeneity of products and technology. The Group’s operating segments are based on its organizational structure and information reviewed by the Group’s CODM to evaluate the operating segment results. |
| Recent accounting pronouncements | (ai) Recent accounting pronouncements Financial Instruments-Credit Losses. In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13 Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326) , which requires entities to measure all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. This replaces the existing incurred loss model and is applicable to the measurement of credit losses on financial assets measured at amortized cost. This guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Early application will be permitted for all entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. The Group will adopt ASU 2016-13 effective January 1, 2020 on a modified retrospective basis and do not expect any material impact on the balance sheets and the consolidated statements of comprehensive income/(loss) as a result of adopting the new standard. 2. Principal Accounting Policies (Continued) (ai) Recent accounting pronouncements (continued) Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement . The amendments of ASU 2018-13 test the concepts in the proposed Concepts Statement and improve the effectiveness of disclosure requirements on fair value measurement by using those concepts. This guidance is effective beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within that fiscal year. The amendments on changes in unrealized gains and losses, the range and weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements, and the narrative description of measurement uncertainty should be applied prospectively for only the most recent interim or annual period presented in the initial fiscal year of adoption. All other amendments should be applied retrospectively to all periods presented upon their effective date. Early adoption is permitted upon issuance of this Update. An entity is permitted to early adopt any removed or modified disclosures upon issuance of this Update and delay adoption of the additional disclosures until their effective date. The Group is currently evaluating the impact and does not expect it to have a significant impact on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. Consolidation (Topic 810): Targeted Improvements to Related Party Guidance for Variable Interest Entities. In October 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-17, Consolidation (Topic 810): Targeted Improvements to Related Party Guidance for Variable Interest Entities . Current GAAP provides a private company with an accounting alternative not to apply VIE guidance to leasing arrangements with entities under common control if certain criteria are met. The amendments expand the accounting alternative to include all private company common control arrangements if the common control parent and the legal entity being evaluated for consolidation are not public business entities. The amendments for determining whether a decision-making fee is a variable interest require reporting entities to consider indirect interests held through related parties under common control on a proportional basis rather than as the equivalent of a direct interest in its entirety (as currently required in GAAP). This guidance is effective beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within that fiscal year. All entities are required to apply the amendments retrospectively with a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings at the beginning of the earliest period presented. Early adoption is permitted. The Group is currently evaluating the impact that the standard and does not expect it to have a significant impact on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. |
