China bans foreign TV shows from primetime
Chinese state media regulator has imposed an outright ban on imported television shows being broadcast during primetime.
The measure bars any foreign shows from airing between 7pm and 10pm and rules that their proportion of total programming each day must not exceed 25%.
Further restrictions limit the amount of programming which can be shown from any one nation or region.
Instead Chinese creative industries are being urged to produce more home grown fare such as books, films and art to attract both domestic and foreign audiences.
Chinese officials fear that western influence could encourage liberal reformers to push for democracy and freedom of speech within the totalitarian state.
Official edicts limiting reality TV shows and other so called ‘light entertainment’ formats have already been enacted.