"They say the festive spirit is fading, but this year's Spring Festival Gala feels like it's lost its human touch entirely."

On New Year's Eve 2026, the Spring Festival Gala stage was no longer a solo act for humans.

When Cai Ming interacted with "robots" on the Spring Festival Gala stage 30 years after her last such performance, it was no longer just a figment of sci-fi skits. This time, standing beside her were genuine humanoid robots from Songyan Dynamics, capable of acting cute, cracking jokes, and even doing flips.

This was just the tip of the iceberg for this year's "robot army" at the Spring Festival Gala.

At the 2026 CCTV Spring Festival Gala, the boundaries between technology and commerce blurred, with robots becoming performers rather than props.

01

Collision of Technology and Tradition

The 2026 CCTV Spring Festival Gala, themed "Galloping Steeds, Unstoppable Momentum," was directed by Yu Lei. Few know that Yu Lei has served as the chief director for four consecutive years since 2023, becoming the only director in the past decade to helm the CCTV Spring Festival Gala for four years running.

The gala adopted a "1+4" format, with the Beijing main venue linkage (linked to) four sub-venues in Harbin, Heilongjiang; Yiwu, Zhejiang; Hefei, Anhui; and Yibin, Sichuan.

Admittedly, the singing and dancing programs at this year's gala were quite captivating.

For instance, Faye Wong made a comeback after years with a solo performance of "The Moment We Shared," her ethereal voice sparking nostalgic discussions, while her teardrop earrings triggered a trending search for "getting the same style."

Aaron Kwok and Wang Yibo's cross-generational collaboration in "Shine and Move" featured a youthful stage design, marking a significant departure from the gala's traditional style.

However, compared to human performers, the AI-driven singing and dancing programs were even more "stunning."

This year's "Martial BOT" saw Unitree robots transform into kung fu practitioners, executing vaults and backflips with fluid, precise movements. Not only that, but they also mastered drunken boxing and nunchaku skills, delivering a cyber-style "meeting of martial artists" on the gala stage.

This year, numerous robot companies made a splash in the singing and dancing programs, with Unitree Robotics, Magic Atom, Galaxy General, and Songyan Dynamics all making appearances on the CCTV Spring Festival Gala, half of them hailing from the Yangtze River Delta. Media reports suggest that these companies spared no expense to secure these collaborations.

In contrast, language-based programs remained a focal point for criticism. This year's gala opted for a "streamlined" approach, featuring three skits, two comedic shorts, and one cross-talk program, with no stand-up comedy.

Skit "Guaranteed Satisfaction"

Even in the language-based programs, robots made their presence felt.

For example, in the skit "Grandma's Favorite," Cai Ming reunited with robots 30 years after her previous robot-themed performance, with rows of robots even evoking the "uncanny valley" effect. Long-time viewers exclaimed, "Nostalgia hit hard!" comparing it to Cai Ming's earlier robot skit.

Notably, beloved comedy duo Shen Teng and Ma Li did not perform a skit this year but instead starred in the New Year micro-film "My Most Unforgettable Eve." This marked their 10th collaborative performance at the gala, though it was a creative program rather than a skit, and even featured robotic co-performances.

New Year micro-film "My Most Unforgettable Eve"

Undeniably, compared to past galas, technology and creative programs stood out as the biggest differentiators this year.

One netizen sharply commented, "If this keeps up, robots will only get better, and soon the gala will be entirely run by robots, with robots as directors too."

02

Brand Sponsorship Roundup: Over 20 'Standout' Brands

The lineup of brands at the Spring Festival Gala has always reflected profound shifts in Chinese commerce. From Zhao Benshan-era "skit extravaganzas" to today's "tech spectacles," the sponsorship logic has shifted from "capturing users" to "showcasing strength."

According to incomplete statistics, as of now, over 20 partners have been officially announced for the CCTV Spring Festival Gala, spanning smart mobility, AI robots, baijiu (Chinese white liquor), and other sectors. Eight of these are publicly listed companies: Wuliangye, Yanghe, Gujing Gongjiu, Great Wall Motors, JAC Motors, Kuaishou-W, Bilibili-W, and Miniso.

Robot tech companies were undeniably the standout sponsors this year. The collective appearance of Unitree Robotics, Dreame, Huawei, and others marked China's manufacturing sector's upgrade from "making" to "smart making."

Robots were no longer cold machines but emotional, relatable "performers," making this deep integration more sophisticated than mere advertising. Media reports previously suggested that sponsorship fees for the gala could reach as high as 100 million yuan per brand.

Secondly, baijiu remained the gala's "cornerstone."

Despite the rise of tech companies, baijiu brands like Wuliangye and Yanghe continued to be major sponsors, reflecting China's deep-rooted liquor culture and the irreplaceable role of baijiu in New Year's Eve meals.

Additionally, new trendy brands joined the fray. The inclusion of brands like Kayou and Miniso signaled the gala's shift toward a younger, trendier audience. With Generation Z as the primary consumer force, the gala is striving to embrace youth culture.

Automobiles also remained a "stabilizing force" at the gala. The Zunjie S800 made its debut as the flagship model, while Great Wall Motors' Tank 500 and Wey High Mountain served as official vehicles, and Lynk & Co 900 participated in sub-venue artistic performances.

Furthermore, traditional baijiu brands like Wuliangye, as the exclusive interactive partner, handled red envelope distributions for four consecutive years. Logos of Yanghe Dream Blue and Honghualang appeared on host cards and backdrops.

With so many brands deeply integrated into the programs, netizens joked, "The gala has turned into a massive live-streaming sales event."

03

Shifting Commercial Logic Behind the Spring Festival Gala

This year's gala could be dubbed the "Year of the Robot." Not just CCTV's gala but local TV galas also became showcases for robots.

At Henan TV's Spring Festival Gala, Zhiyuan Robotics presented "Kung Fu Serendipity," with robots performing horse stances, drunken boxing, and even sparring with Shaolin monks, showcasing a perfect blend of "mechanical aesthetics" and "martial arts philosophy."

At Shandong TV's gala, robots not only hosted but also played drums, performed cross-talk, acrobatics, and even collaborated with intangible cultural heritage artists on qinshu (a form of Chinese storytelling).

Shenzhen TV's gala featured robots recreating the iconic dance of the "Axe Gang" from Stephen Chow's film "Kung Fu Hustle," evoking nostalgia among viewers.

Hubei TV's gala saw robots collaborate with singer Hailai Amu on a piano performance, while 12 robotic dogs in pony outfits and 12 robots performed the opening dance together. Faced with this robotic "invasion," netizen reactions were sharply divided.

For tech enthusiasts, this year's gala was a "visual feast." "Chinese robots have arrived!" exclaimed one netizen after seeing Unitree's robots perform complex martial arts moves. "These aren't robots; they're martial arts masters! Chinese robots have finally risen!" Some viewers found the robotic performances more captivating than certain singing and dancing programs.

However, for audiences seeking "festive spirit" and "human touch," the robotic "invasion" felt out of place.

Seeing Songyan Dynamics' robots mimic human expressions and actions, some viewers found it unsettling: "A chorus of robots shouting 'Grandma' gave me goosebumps."

Other netizens criticized the skit "Grandma's Favorite" for its weak plot and sparse humor, feeling it was a hastily assembled program to showcase robots. Some even questioned, "Isn't this just a disguised ad placement?"

The lack of human touch was another point of contention. Some viewers argued that the gala should be filled with warmth and festive spirit, and the "cold" robotic performances stripped it of its original "lively atmosphere."

Despite the polarized opinions, it's undeniable that the AI-dominated gala reflects two new trends.

First, tech companies have taken center stage.

Unitree's robots, which were still performing yangko dances last year, have now "evolved" into martial arts masters, competing on stage with children from Henan's Shaolin Tagou Martial Arts School in a hardcore showdown of "Martial BOT."

Magic Atom, Galaxy General... these names are no longer obscure terms in tech news but "rising stars" on the gala stage.

From language programs to singing and dancing, from martial arts to micro-films, robots are no longer simple props but "actors". They share the stage with humans and even, in some segments, "steal" the spotlight from humans.

Second, "human-robot co-performance" will become the prevailing trend.

The 2026 Spring Festival Gala marks the arrival of the era of "human-robot co-performance".

Robots are no longer just "tools" for humans but "partners". Together with humans, they will create more possibilities on stage and in life.

The 2026 CCTV Spring Festival Gala was a feast of technology and commerce, as well as an attempt to cater to both refined and popular tastes. In the 2026 Gala, robots "went wild". They captivated the audience with their cutting-edge technology and sparked controversy with their awkward performances. However, it cannot be denied that this marks a new Explosion point (I think you want to say 'boom point') for China's robotics industry.

As one netizen said, "No matter what, if it can make us laugh, be understandable, and allow us to watch it with our family without feeling like we've wasted our time, that's enough."