Chinese Censors to Target Popular US TV Shows

Chinese Censors to Target Popular US TV Shows
Apr 28, 2014 By eChinacities.com

The Big Bang Theory, The Good Wife, NCIS and “The Practice” have all been given the thumbs down by Chinese censorship officials and are set to be axed from online streaming portals.

The four shows, along with a whole host of other series’ have been able to bypass Chinese censors due to a loophole that has existed for quite some time allowing TV shows that otherwise wouldn’t have made the cut to be broadcast freely on the mainland via websites such as iQiyi, Youku, Tudou and Sohu.

TV shows such as Vampire Diaries, the Walking Dead and House of Cards, featuring superstition, extra marital relationships,scandal and diplomatic relations between China and America, have become hugely popular among Chinese audiences, despite strict government censorship of these themes.

Spenser Wang from iQiyi stated that the censorship plans have been in the works for over a year, and the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television would now be working on brand new regulations to specifically target imported shows being broadcasted online.

The government’s censors have been on the warpath recently with sina.com having its license removed for violating regulations on broadcasting lewd and pornographic materials.

The new regulations come as the government hopes to promote more morally sound and family friendly content, such as family unity, social consciousness and violently murdering Japanese soldiers. 

Source: nytimes.com

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Keywords: China censors target US TV shows

14 Comments

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Torchier

Maybe the censorship committee will have second thoughts about "The Good Wife" since Will was shot and killed (his contract ends and he asked to be let go). Writers could push an old college infatuation only so far anyway before the tension drains out of that relationship. There are already so many dead middle-aged marriages here that men are afraid career women in China will get ideas about new beginnings at work. Nope "Good Wife stays on the shelf. what about "Mad Men"? Oh, buy the DVDs seasons 1-6 and watch for the vintage cars from the 60s (Why are there so many shots of Studebakers?)

May 09, 2014 12:01 Report Abuse

Guest2343106

how is this going to help anyone......wonder why they don't ban CAPTAIN AMERICA 2 from movie theatres.....naah they wont there is lot of money in it.....even though it is an AMERICAN movie

Apr 29, 2014 11:25 Report Abuse

LarryBird

the CCP can accept the fucking"violently murdering Japanese soldiers." but they can not accept science comedy like big bang series it is a joke . maybe in future you only can see 2 shows on TV the cctv news and anti-japanese war series

Apr 29, 2014 09:39 Report Abuse

alpha3305

Social consciousness should include: superstition, extra marital relationships,scandal and diplomatic relations between China and America. After all these are the real topics people are talking about. Of course people under 16 should probably not watch any of these shows. I only said 16 because it is a number, nothing important about it. Morals should be set by the people not the government. This social media gauge will help the government understand what the people are interested in.

Apr 29, 2014 07:27 Report Abuse

astrongman

i didn't realize the American Republican Party has infiltrated the CCP. From what this article states, all American social conservatives and bible thumpers would love it.

Apr 28, 2014 20:59 Report Abuse

Guest538776

What a ninny about history you are. It was the JFK administration that threatened to take away broadcasting licenses if tv shows veered too far from the moral center.

Apr 28, 2014 23:55 Report Abuse

astrongman

Moral Majority funded Reagan White House did too. So did Bush's FCC. Don't call a PhD candidate in history a ninny, troglodyte. It's nice the internet allows you to be rude and stupid. You say something like that to someone's face in reality, you might end up in a hospital bed. What a trite, callous, stupid little man.

Apr 29, 2014 07:25 Report Abuse

Guest538776

Guess you should give back that Ph.D, especially since you need the internet to know history. The JFK administration preceds the Regan administration, Google that if you need. One of the stated purposes of the FCC is for "public safety" - a classic excuse for censorship by any government right or wrong. And since the FCC was created in 1934 which was during the FDR administration your entire original point is asinine. Good thing for anonymity of the web since you prove it's required against meatheads like yourself; what a shame that as an "educated" man you threaten bodily harm of others who prove you wrong. I hope you don't teach as your day job, better you stick to lifting weights, Rambo.

May 01, 2014 17:59 Report Abuse

astrongman

Look, right wing tool, the cave is that way. As for anonymity. . .you see my photo and name. You're Guest538776. Coward.

May 02, 2014 10:34 Report Abuse

Guest538776

Are you pointing to the cave from whence thou cometh? Do you want to meet me by the flagpole after school to settle the score? Where are you getting this Ph.D in history, at Buffoon U? From what high tower are you trying to preach? It's clearly not from a civilized tower or one that proves you can so much as write a grammatically correct sentence. Here's another history lesson, society has advanced since the harnessing of fire, maybe you can try to catch up in your spare time outside the gym.

May 02, 2014 15:29 Report Abuse

WCG

good sense of humor. "violently murdering Japanese soldiers." is awesome family content. Lets all sit down and watch some good wholesome TV.

Apr 28, 2014 20:18 Report Abuse

carlstar

who would ever live in China.... sigh

Apr 28, 2014 20:16 Report Abuse

skunkman

Soft kitty, warm kitty, little ball of fur. Happy kitty, sleepy kitty, purr, purr, purr.

Apr 28, 2014 19:30 Report Abuse

instantkarma

Ah yes the "face" of China must appear wholesome and moral. Maybe they should bring back Maoism, he banned prostitution, gambling, homosexuality and ...

Apr 28, 2014 19:27 Report Abuse