Star power sees Youku pack a punch

Known for being a diehard basketball fan, Chou often shows off his hoop skills in music videos.

The new show will see the three stars help recruit young players from around China to team up for 3x3 basketball events, with the storyline developing along with the selection process.

According to Yi Hua, the producer of Dunk Boys, the upcoming show will pay homage to Slam Dunk, a Japanese animation that influenced generations of young people in China. And, since 3x3 basketball is also one of the sports featuring in the 2020 Summer Olympic Games, Yi thinks the show will help warm up audiences ahead of the competition.

Nevertheless, she says that the theme of basketball was simply chosen as a vehicle to allow the producers to take a closer look at popular youth culture.

"Young Chinese people's aspirations and struggles will be on display," she says. "This era calls for young idols who are full of positive energy and possess a strong spirit, and the basketball pitch is an ideal place to demonstrate this."

However, this year's batch of idols will not only be drawn from the circles of entertainment and sport. Efforts taken by behind-the-scenes national heroes will also have a chance to reach younger audiences, thanks to another new Youku program We're From Earth.

Li Qinglong, deputy director of the Shenzhen-based Space Institute of Southern China, is taking part in a new reality show centered around the training program of Chinese astronauts.

Li was among the first astronauts to be trained in China. Although he coached Yang Liwei, the first Chinese astronaut to be sent into space, he unfortunately never made it there himself.

In We're From Earth, six guests-a mix of celebrities and ordinary people-will spend 30 days in the training center used by China's space program, where they will undergo the same arduous training regime as the astronauts, including one that mimics the environment of Mars.

It is the first time a reality show has revealed the rigorous training process that Chinese astronauts have to endure.

"We're witnessing historical stages in the development of China's space program," Li says. "This time we want to tell the lesser-known stories behind the program and show how we have attained the achievements of today."

According to Yang Weidong, head of Youku, the wide spectrum of variety shows offered by the platform this year echoes the diverse needs of the contemporary Chinese audience.

"It's getting more and more difficult to make one program that will suit everyone's taste," Yang says. "A show that proves popular with one group of people, might hardly be noticed by another."

Users now pay more attention to what interests them most, he adds.

"We have to develop tailored plans for different social circles and not just cater to loyal fans."

Contact the writer at wangkaihao@chinadaily.com.cn