Xinhua reports that China’s media watchdog is making moves to limit the amount of airtime taken up by televised singing competitions:
China’s TV regulator on Wednesday announced that it is going to cap the number of talent shows focused on singing competitions to prevent such programs from clogging airwaves this summer.
The State General Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television said in a news release to Xinhua that satellite broadcasters should stop investing in any new singing competition shows; shows that have already been produced, but have not yet aired, should not be aired until after the summer vacation; and series currently being aired should be aligned with different schedules.
The administration said the move is meant to prevent the homogeneous development of TV programs and provide audiences with diversified choices, as this year saw a remarkable surge in such talent shows. [Source]
The Xinhua report also notes that these measures are being taken to encourage broadcasters to “be thrifty in program production,” keeping in line with central government austerity measures. Singing competitions enjoy enormous popularity among China’s television watchers, especially in the summer months, and Zhejiang Satellite TV’s “Voice of China” set the nation’s TV ratings record earlier this month.
