? ?
CHINA / National
Authorities pull plug on prime-time reality TV
By Xin Dingding (China Daily)
Updated: 2007-09-22 10:04
Reality TV shows with voting, such as Supergirls and Superboys, will be
taken off their prime-time spots of 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm, starting next
month.
The State Administration of Radio, Film and Television said in a notice
on Thursday that TV channels must also stop broadcasting reality shows
with external voting by mobile phone, for example.
Voting by the audience and judges on shows will be permitted, but no
incentives should be offered.
The move is intended to ensure the shows are "healthy", the
administration said.
It is also concerned voting by phone, which?is an underhand way of making
money, in the form of call charges.
The notice said TV hosts should not flatter, flirt or speak sarcastically
about each other. Judges, it said, should be authoritative and
professional and make "fair, appropriate and brief" comments based on
contestants' performances.
An additional rule bans prime-time shows from running for more than 90
minutes.
Last month the administration banned a show on Chongqing Satellite TV for
having "low taste". In the live show, two women judges spoke cattily
about the show's contestants. It shocked many viewers, the administration
said.
It also said it believed such shows "sullied the image of television
media", although they were useful attempts to be innovative and satisfy
audience demand.
Reality TV shows have been popular among Chinese audience since 2005.
Shows like Supergirls and Happy Boys get top ratings but insiders said
they lacked originality and were copies of American Idol.
Top China News ?
* Mattel apologizes over toys recall
* Ties with Chad gather momentum
* UN rejection of Taiwan bid lauded
* Washington promises better trade ties
* Rapid recall system for dangerous drugs
Today's Top News ?
* US toymaker apologizes to China over flawed goods
* Olympic torch to bypass Taiwan
* New bishop ordained in Beijing
* US shield is to spy on Russia - FM
* One more missing Russian tourist found
Most Commented/Read Stories in 48 Hours
