Sohu.com

Sohu.com Ltd. operates as a prominent Chinese internet company, offering a range of online media, search, and gaming services. The company was established in 1996 as Internet Technologies China (ITC) by its founder, Charles Zhang. Zhang, who holds a Ph.D. in experimental physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and a bachelor's degree from Tsinghua University, identified the potential for an internet search engine company after returning to Beijing to set up an operation for Internet Securities Inc. With venture capital support from MIT professor Edward B. Roberts and Media Lab director Nicholas Negroponte, ITC was founded. The company was rebranded to Sohu in 1997, a name that translates to "Search-fox," reflecting its origins as an early search pioneer in China. Sohu successfully listed on the NASDAQ stock exchange on July 12, 2000.

The company's business model is centered around three core segments: online media, search engine services, and online gaming. Revenue is primarily generated through brand advertising, online game revenues, and to a lesser extent, paid subscriptions. The online media division provides Chinese-language content across various platforms, including the Sohu News App, Sohu Video App, and the PC portal sohu.com. The company serves a vast audience of internet users in China with news, entertainment, and other information. Its online advertising services cater to businesses across multiple industries. The online gaming business operates through its subsidiary, Changyou, which develops and manages a portfolio of PC and mobile games, including the popular Tian Long Ba Bu ("TLBB"). In-game purchases and virtual items are a key monetization method for this segment.

Sohu's main products encompass its comprehensive web properties. Sohu News and Sohu Video offer a wide array of content, while its former subsidiary, Sogou, was a leading search engine in China. The gaming division, Changyou, provides a suite of online games that contribute significantly to the company's revenue. A notable milestone for the company was being selected as the Official Internet Content Service Sponsor for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, for which it operated the official website. Despite facing challenges, including widening net losses in recent years, Sohu maintains a substantial liquidity position with over a billion dollars in cash and investments, allowing it to navigate market volatility and continue investing in its core operations.

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