Hunan TV, Taobao.com set to form alliance

China's biggest online retailer, Taobao.com, will set up a joint venture with broadcaster Hunan Television, in a move to expand its portfolio beyond online shopping.

The new company, with a total investment of 100 million yuan, will produce TV programs related to online shopping and set up a new platform for selling products via Taobao.com. The plan also includes using pop stars from Hunan Television's roster.

"The joint venture is our attempt to combine the Internet and television, and find a new way to develop both," said Jack Ma, founder and CEO of Alibaba Group, the parent company of Taobao.com.