Youku, iQIYI, and Tencent call for a curb to high pay for stars

Three domestic video streaming services are calling for an end to the "unreasonable exorbitant remuneration" paid to high-profile actors, according to a joint statement issued by Youku, iQIYI, and Tencent on Wednesday.

Three Chinese video streaming services, Youku, iQIYI, and Tencent video, are calling for an end to the "unreasonable exorbitant remuneration" paid to high-profile actors. [Screenshot: China Plus/Hu Yijing]

The move comes as China escalates efforts to put the country's distorted film and television industry back on track, amid claims the sky-high salaries paid to celebrities is limiting the ability of the industry to develop and produce high-quality blockbusters.

As well as calling for cuts to actor's profit share, the three leading video platforms are also saying "no" to diva behavior. Actors who disrupt a production by trying to inflate their role at a cost to fellow cast members, or who show up to a shoot unprepared, or who make unreasonable demands, will be placed on a blacklist launched by Youku, iQIYI, and Tencent video. Actors on the blacklist may face difficulties being hired for future productions.

"We are calling on the whole industry to join us in our bid to maintain a healthy movie and TV industry, to build a stable and well-ordered environment for production and broadcasting, and to promote the development of China's film and television industry," reads the proposal.