China clamps down on foreign formats

The Voice of China was the subject of legal action by Talpa Media against Star Media China

China’s media regulator is introducing strict rules to limit the number of shows based on foreign formats on air in a bid to boost local productions.

Imported formats must now receive approval from local regulators in order to air on satellite TV, the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television (SAPPRFT, fka SARFT) has said.

The regulator is unhappy that some channels are “still too dependent on broadcasting foreign programmes” and wants to promote local originality, according to AP.

Channels will be restricted to no more than two foreign format adaptations per year in primetime. Networks that air new shows based on foreign formats without first receiving approval will be banned from showing any programming based on overseas concepts for one year.

Government-run china.com published the new rules over the weekend. A statement read: “Only domestically invented TV programmes in the Chinese cultural tradition can properly convey the Chinese Dream, core socialist values, patriotism and Chinese traditions. Audiences are craving more Chinese original programmes.”

The move threatens current local adaptations including The Voice of China, which was already the subject of controversy after format owner Talpa Media took legal action against Star Media China for producing a fifth season without permission.

Chinese regulators frequently alter the country’s media laws and SAPPRFT recently moved to ban children, particularly those of celebrities, from appearing in reality TV programmes.

This followed SAPPRFT’s announcement last year that it would ban “vulgar and damaging” reality TV programming.