Internet TV brands tune into drama

China's previously buoyant internet TV brands are currently players in their own drama, watching a downturn in the sector this year.

As the price of panels continues to rise, the paid-for-content business is failing to produce enough revenue to subsidize hardware sales, analysts said.

Internet TV brands are companies, such as LeEco and Xiaomi, which integrate online TV programs into their television sets. There are also traditional TV manufacturers that partner with internet service providers to establish new internet TV product lines.