Beijing: China's television watchdog has
capped the amount of entertainment programs, including reality
TV shows, that satellite channels can broadcast from next year
and have been asked to promote traditional virtues and
socialist core values.
Each of the country's 34 satellite channels will be
limited to two such entertainment programs each week, said a
statement issued Tuesday by the State Administration of Radio,
Film and Television (SARFT).
Under the new directive, a channel can also broadcast a
maximum of 90 minutes of content defined as entertainment
every day during prime time - 7:30 pm to 10 pm.
All media in China, including the television channels is
state owned.
Each province has its own own television channel.
The decision is the latest move to curb TV shows of
"excessive entertainment" and "low taste", programmes like
matchmaker, talent contests, talk shows and reality shows, the
statement said.
The watchdog will also control the total number of
entertainment shows nationwide.
PTI
First Published: Tuesday, October 25, 2011, 18:28