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China's paid companions fill the gap for lonely elders

Companions in China are being paid to visit lonely older adults and act as stand-in family, a trend the BBC has dubbed the loneliness economy; rates not included.

On air: Gloria Vance and Dale Bearman on BBN Tonight
Published 8:54 PM ET, Tuesday, October 13, 2026

At a glance

First reported by BBC: “'I'd talk to the TV': The paid companions bringing warmth to China's lonely”.
Covered on BBN on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at 8:54 PM ET on BBN Tonight, by Gloria Vance and Dale Bearman.
Topics: ID, TV, China.
BBN covered this story before: Police look to ID man accused of throwing dog over 6-foot fence at… (October 12).

The real story

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

What BBN said about it

Gloria Vance · World News AnchorIn China, a new industry the BBC calls the loneliness economy has people hiring themselves out as companions, and some are paid to act as temporary children for elderly people living alone.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorOne companion told the BBC that when she visits, an older woman will talk to the television, simply because no one else is in the room.
Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorA child you can rent. Does it come with a cancellation window, or do they just stop calling like the real ones?
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorDale, a lonely person is not a subscription.
Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorEverything is a subscription. I'd want the premium tier, with a birthday call, a casserole and a child who laughs at my jokes.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorThe product is a person who shows up and listens, and I have filed reports from places where that was rarer than water.
Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorShows up and listens. That's more than my own family offers.