HONG KONG, Aug. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Newborn Town Inc., a leading global social entertainment company (Newborn Town or the company, stock code: 09911.HK), released its interim results for the first half of 2026.
For the six months ended 30 June 2026, the company recorded total revenue of US$607 million, representing a year-on-year increase of approximately 37.0%. Profit attributable to equity shareholders of the Company reached approximately US$99 million, up approximately 45.8% year-on-year, while adjusted EBITDA amounted to approximately US$111 million, representing year-on-year growth of 23.6%.
According to the announcement, the first half of 2026 marked a critical phase in the deeper execution of the Company's global strategy. During the period, Newborn Town maintained strong growth momentum, with a more diversified, multi-market growth profile taking shape at an accelerated pace. As its core products gained traction across multiple new markets, AI capabilities continued to deepen, and innovative business delivered steady growth, the Company saw continued improvements in revenue scale, profitability and overall operating quality, further strengthening its long-term growth momentum.
Global Expansion and Deeper AI Integration Drive Continued Growth in Social Networking Business
In the first half of 2026, the company's social networking business maintained robust growth, with revenue reached US$539 million, representing a year-on-year increase of 36.5%. Against the continued expansion of the global social entertainment market, Newborn Town further unlocked the value of its social networking business through its global footprint and the deeper integration of AI across the full business value chain.
In the first half of the year, the company has been deepening its "Product Replication + Market Replication" strategy, making significant progress in its global expansion. Leveraging its deep localization capabilities, Newborn Town further consolidated its leading position in core markets including MENA and Southeast Asia. Meanwhile, its flagship products further strengthened their competitiveness in emerging markets such as Latin America and continued to make inroads into high-potential markets across East Asia, Europe and North America, further broadening the company's global footprint.
The gaming-oriented social networking platform TopTop continued to deepen its presence in high-value markets, with revenue growing by approximately 30% year on year. While further consolidating its position in MENA, TopTop also made progress across a number of new markets. In East Asia, the platform repeatedly ranked among the top 10 free iOS casual games in Japan and South Korea. In Europe and North America, TopTop continued to refine its product in response to local user needs, build market awareness and cultivate local communities, delivering encouraging progress.
The live-streaming platform MICO and voice-based social networking platform YoHo continued to maintain leading positions in their respective segments. MICO consistently ranked among the top-grossing social apps on iOS in markets including Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Thailand, while YoHo remained among the top 10 highest-grossing iOS social apps in core MENA markets such as Oman and the UAE. Both platforms maintained strong competitiveness across established markets while continuing to enhance localized operations and enrich their content ecosystems.
The company's diverse-audience social networking business also maintained steady growth. HeeSay, its global community platform, continued to strengthen its presence in Southeast Asia, consistently ranking among the top 10 highest-grossing iOS social apps across multiple markets in the region. Earlier this year, HeeSay hosted its annual gala in Thailand and launched the interview series 'He So Glam'. Through ongoing enhancements to community engagement and a richer content ecosystem, HeeSay continued to expand its global brand influence.
Innovative Business Posts Strong Growth as AI Drives Short-Drama Expansion
In the first half of the year, the company's innovative business recorded revenue of approximately US$68 million, representing a year-on-year increase of 41.2%. Notably, growth in the AI-powered short drama business provided an additional contribution to the segment's revenue.
According to market research firm Omdia, global short drama revenue is expected to reach US$14 billion by the end of 2026. Playlet, Newborn Town's short-form drama app, is strategically positioned in high-spending markets such as the United States, Japan and South Korea, producing titles at scale that are tailored to local tastes. In the first half, deeper application of AI further expanded content production capacity and creative possibilities, improving per-title launch efficiency by more than 60% and providing strong support for global expansion. According to Diandian Data, Playlet ranked No. 1 among free iOS entertainment apps in Japan in early July.
The company's quality games business also maintained solid momentum, with flagship titles sustaining long-term operations and generating sustained returns. Meanwhile, as the team accumulated further experience across R&D and operations, its ability to develop new titles continued to strengthen. In the first half of the year, three new games made solid progress in commercialization and began to demonstrate potential for further scale.
The social e-commerce business continued to deepen its presence in the health services sector, further strengthening its professional capabilities and competitive barriers. Recently, joint research by Heer Health and Tsinghua University was accepted for presentation at the 26th International AIDS Conference. Meanwhile, Heer Health Internet Hospital was included in the "AIDS Prevention" WeChat Mini Program operated by the National Center for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention under the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
AI Drives Efficiency Across the Value Chain as Application Ecosystem Expands
Newborn Town continued to deepen its AI deployment. In the first half, AI gaming community Aippy recorded rapid growth, with global downloads exceeding 4 million to date. Daily active users (DAU) increased by approximately sixfold from the beginning of the year, while user retention remained among the strongest in the industry. The Company also expanded into AI-agent payments with NUSD Pay, broadening the range of AI use cases in its portfolio.
Meanwhile, the Company also continued to invest across the AI ecosystem, backing projects in areas including world models and AI-native game engines, as well as AI interactive games and AI advertising and marketing, further enriching its AI application ecosystem.
In the first half, the Company continued to deepen the use of AI across key areas including product R&D, social recommendation systems, intelligent operations, safety and risk management, and marketing and user acquisition, supporting ongoing business growth.
In marketing and user acquisition, the Company's intelligent creative production platform Cube and intelligent advertising platform Miaomiao worked in close coordination to build an efficient, end-to-end AI-powered workflow — from identifying high-performing creatives and producing ad assets to bid optimization and campaign management — significantly improving advertising efficiency.
On the product operations front, the Company's intelligent data platform Siyu AI continued to enhance its analytical capabilities, reducing processing time for certain complex analytical tasks from days to minutes. Meanwhile, intelligent design platform KIVI continued to expand its design capabilities, further improving the efficiency of producing virtual gifts and UI assets while supporting a broader range of in-app campaigns.
The company also continued to deliver on its commitment to shareholder returns. As of 30 July, Newborn Town had completed three rounds of cancellations of repurchased shares during the year, cancelling a total of approximately 12.87 million shares, with aggregate repurchase consideration exceeding HK$108 million. The cancellations helped lift earnings per share (EPS) and further bolster market confidence alongside the Company's improving profitability.
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Newborn Town Advances Global Expansion; 1H2026 Revenue Reaches US$607 Million, Up 37% YoY
- The world's largest exhibition and conference for natural gas, LNG, low-carbon solutions, hydrogen, shipping, AI for energy and electrification comes to Bangkok as Asia's economic transformation creates new opportunities across the energy sector
BANGKOK, Aug. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- As Asia continues to drive the next chapter of global economic growth, the question facing governments, industry and investors is no longer whether energy demand will grow, but how the world will deliver the secure, affordable and sustainable energy needed to power that future.
Across the region, industrial expansion, urbanisation, electrification, digitalisation and the rapid growth of artificial intelligence are creating new opportunities for businesses, communities and economies. Behind every new factory, data centre, transport network and home is a growing need for reliable energy, making Asia the centre of gravity for the global energy sector.
The opportunity is already visible. Emerging and developing economies accounted for more than 80% of global energy demand growth in 2024, with developing economies across Asia accounting for around 60% of the global increase. Electricity demand rose 4.3% during the year, while global data-centre electricity consumption is expected to more than double by 2030. Global energy investment reached an estimated US $3.3 trillion in 2025, highlighting the scale of investment required to support this growth.
This is not simply a story of transition. It is a story of energy addition. New demand is emerging across every sector of the economy, requiring natural gas and LNG, renewables, low carbon technologies, and stronger grids to develop together in order to support future growth.
Against this backdrop, Gastech 2026 will bring the global energy industry to Bangkok from 14-17 September. Hosted by Thailand's Ministry of Energy, the event will convene policymakers, regulators, energy producers, infrastructure and technology providers, investors, traders and utilities from across the global energy value chain to explore how energy systems can evolve to meet rising demand while strengthening energy security and supporting long-term economic development.
Thailand's strategic position at the heart of Southeast Asia, combined with its investments in energy infrastructure, LNG, electrification, digitalisation and industrial development, make Bangkok a natural venue for the world's largest gathering of energy leaders. With more than 800 speakers across 200 conference sessions and 18 specialised programmes, Gastech 2026 will examine the energy systems, technologies and investment needed to underpin future economic growth.
H.E. Akanat Promphan, Minister of Energy, Kingdom of Thailand, said:
"Thailand is proud to welcome global energy leaders to Bangkok at a time when energy security, economic competitiveness and sustainable growth are more interconnected than ever. Gastech provides an important platform for governments, industry and investors to work together on the solutions needed to meet growing energy demand while strengthening resilience and creating long-term opportunity for our region."
Gastech's Strategic Conference will bring together energy ministers, policymakers and international institutions to examine the policies, partnerships and investment frameworks needed to support the next phase of global growth. Discussions will focus on energy security, supply diversification, infrastructure development, regulatory cooperation and the role of energy in supporting economic prosperity across both emerging and established markets.
Confirmed government speakers include:
- H.E. Akanat Promphan, Minister of Energy, Kingdom of Thailand
- James P. Danly, Deputy Secretary of Energy, United States
- H.E. Gan Siow Huang, Minister of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Ministry of Trade & Industry Singapore, Singapore
- H.E. Eng. Karim Badawi, Minister of Petroleum & Mineral Resources, Arab Republic of Egypt
- H.E. Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe, Ekpo, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Nigeria
- H.E. Eng. Salim bin Nasser Al Aufi, Minister of Energy & Minerals, Oman
- Laura Swett, Chairman, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
Alongside policymakers, Gastech will convene the executives responsible for producing, supplying, financing, transporting, trading and delivering the world's energy. Through dedicated executive leadership sessions, CEOs and senior decision-makers will explore the commercial partnerships, investment commitments and infrastructure projects required to ensure energy systems keep pace with rising demand, technological transformation and evolving security priorities.
Confirmed C-suite speakers include Dr Narin Phoawanich, Governor, EGAT; Dr Kongkrapan Intarajang, CEO & President, PTT; Tengku Muhammad Taufik, President & Group CEO, PETRONAS; Takayuki Ueda, President & CEO, INPEX; Liz Westcott, MD & CEO, Woodside Energy; Horacio Marín, President & CEO, YPF; Bayo Ojulari, GCEO, NNPC; Freeman Shaheen, President, Chevron Global Gas; Peter Clarke, Senior Vice President - LNG, ExxonMobil Upstream; Cederic Cremers, President - Integrated Gas, Shell; Yukio Kani, Global CEO & Chair, JERA; Mike Sabel, CEO, Executive Co-Chairman & Founder, Venture Global; Lorenzo Simonelli, Chairman, President & CEO, Baker Hughes; and Richard Holtum, CEO, Trafigura.
New for 2026, the Electrification Strategic Conference Programme, delivered in partnership with EGAT, will examine emerging technologies, changing demand patterns and the investment models required for reliable, competitive and progressively lower-carbon power systems. As industrial growth, digital infrastructure and AI accelerate electricity demand, the programme will explore how countries can build the resilient grids and generation capacity needed to support economic growth.
The Global Energy Regulators Forum will bring together regulators, policymakers and industry leaders to explore how regulatory clarity can unlock infrastructure investment, accelerate innovation and support affordable, reliable energy systems.
The dedicated Japan Energy Programme will examine how Japan's evolving LNG strategy, changing power demand and energy security priorities are influencing energy markets across Asia and beyond.
AixEnergy, co-located with Gastech, will bring together leaders from the energy, technology and investment communities to address one of the defining opportunities of the next decade: the growing relationship between AI and energy. Discussions will explore both sides of the equation, from powering rapidly expanding data-centre infrastructure to using AI to improve efficiency, resilience and operational performance across energy systems.
Beyond the conference, the exhibition will provide a platform for international suppliers, buyers, utilities, developers, investors and technology providers to transform strategic discussions into commercial outcomes.
The exhibition will be anchored by co-hosts Chevron, ExxonMobil and Shell and supported by Thailand's National Consortium Partners EGAT, PTT and Gulf, alongside National Consortium Supporters RATCH and EGCO, demonstrating the strong collaboration between government, national energy champions and international industry leaders that underpins Gastech 2026.
Across the wider value chain, producers and energy companies including ADNOC, XRG, Cheniere, Venture Global and Woodside Energy will meet buyers and utilities including KOGAS, GAIL, SEFE, Uniper and ENGIE. Infrastructure and engineering providers including Bechtel, Technip Energies and Samsung Heavy Industries will be joined by technology companies including Baker Hughes, Siemens Energy and Honeywell, alongside leading trading houses including Vitol and Trafigura.
This unique combination creates a direct route from demand to delivery, enabling participants to advance supply and offtake discussions, infrastructure financing, terminal and grid projects, technology deployment and strategic partnerships. Gastech 2025 facilitated approximately US $60 billion in commercial agreements and investments, demonstrating the role the event plays in accelerating investment and collaboration across the global energy sector.
Christopher Hudson, President of dmg events, said:
"The world's energy story is ultimately a story of growth. Across Asia and around the world, economies are expanding, industries are modernising and demand for reliable, affordable and sustainable energy continues to rise. At the same time, AI, digitalisation and electrification are creating entirely new opportunities and sources of demand."
"Gastech brings together the leaders responsible for shaping that future, from ministers and policymakers to producers, technology innovators, utilities and investors. This is where important conversations become partnerships, investment decisions and real-world projects. There could be no better setting than Bangkok, at the heart of one of the world's most dynamic energy-growth regions."
Gastech 2026 will take place at BITEC Bangkok from 14-17 September. Delegate passes, visitor registration and media accreditation are now open through the official Gastech website
About Gastech
Gastech is the world's largest exhibition and conference for natural gas, LNG, low-carbon solutions, hydrogen, shipping, AI for energy and electrification. Gastech 2026 is expected to welcome more than 50,000 attendees from over 150 countries, 800+ exhibiting companies and 800+ speakers
For further information and registration, visit the official Gastech website. https://www.gastechevent.com
For media accreditation, visit the Gastech media centre. Register here
About dmg events
Since 1989, dmg events has created connections that enable growth by bringing together global industries, governments and innovators to drive collaboration, unlock commercial opportunity and advance meaningful progress across the world's most important markets. Through high-impact events and strategic partnerships, dmg events supports businesses and communities to navigate change, accelerate innovation and build sustainable success.
Operating from 13 offices worldwide, dmg events delivers more than 30 energy and policy events annually. Across four continents, its leading events, including ADIPEC and Gastech, bring together policymakers, industry leaders, investors and innovators to engage on the priorities shaping the future of energy systems and global markets.
** This press release is distributed by PR Newswire through automated distribution system, for which the client assumes full responsibility. **
Gastech 2026 Brings Global Energy Leaders to Bangkok as Asia Drives the Next Wave of Demand
Gastech 2026 Brings Global Energy Leaders to Bangkok as Asia Drives the Next Wave of Demand
Gastech 2026 Brings Global Energy Leaders to Bangkok as Asia Drives the Next Wave of Demand
