Want that American Show to be Broadcast in China? It Just Got Tougher

Charles Liu , January 23, 2015 12:29pm

Although her sassy, independent spirit and penchant for hats are hard to resist, ABC’s new show Agent Carter is the latest Western TV show to get axed in China. And from the looks of it, it won’t be the last.

The full set of rules foreign shows must follow have finally been published, which will make it even more difficult for western TV shows to find an audience in China. The newest regulations from the State Committee on Films and Broadcast Media (formerly known as SARFT) put strict limitations on the times when foreign shows can be broadcast.

This new rule follows restrictions announced earlier, including the stipulation that an entire season of a television program must be submitted for approval at the same time, ensuring a delay between when shows are broadcast abroad and they hit TV screens in China. Another rule is that foreign content can’t exceed 30 percent of a website or channel’s total broadcast content, with domestic content making up the rest.

All websites wishing to broadcast foreign television shows in 2015 must register online before February 10 this year.

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Photo: youth.cn

Charles Liu

The Nanfang's Senior Editor