Robots Shine at China's Spring Festival Gala

China's leading robotics companies dominated this year's Spring Festival Gala, the country's most-watched television program. Four robotics firms partnered with the state broadcaster CCTV in deals worth around 100 million yuan ($14 million).

The robots showcased impressive capabilities during the show. Unitree's humanoid robots performed martial arts with children, including backflips and trampoline jumps. Other companies' robots appeared in comedy sketches and musical performances. These demonstrations highlighted how far humanoid technology has progressed in China, though entertainment remains their main application before they become industrial workers.

Meanwhile, technology giants competed for attention. ByteDance secured an exclusive AI cloud partnership, replacing last year's sponsor Alibaba Cloud. The company promoted its Doubao AI app by offering lucky draws with prizes including drones, electric vehicles, and robots. This marketing battle reflects the fierce competition among China's tech companies as they race to dominate the artificial intelligence sector.

The gala, though still attracting nearly 80 percent of active televisions, has struggled to maintain relevance with younger audiences who prefer digital platforms.