Sohu CEO Charles Zhang (L) and Xiaomi founder Lei Jun. (Photo : Reuters)
Charles Zhang's successful online Internet portal, Sohu.com, Inc., plans to start on the top entertainment rung for the start of its original-content production activities.
Sohu, which serves China's 600 million Internet users, announced the "Saturday Night Live China" television project, based on the long-running U.S. comedy show, on Tuesday, which was confirmed after the media company closed a similar deal with the U.K.'s BBC at the end of last month.
The partnership between the Beijing-based company and Broadway Video Entertainment will produce a Chinese version of America's most influential sketch comedy series for the largest Internet market on the planet.
According to Sohu's media announcement, it wants to produce a "groundbreaking show" with "international appeal" that will primarily resonate with Chinese audiences.
At this stage, significant details are still unclear, such as whether Lorne Michaels, founder of Broadway Video Entertainment and creator of the original "Saturday Night Live" (SNL), will contribute to the Chinese adaptation; what the length of the show will be; whether it will be live or prerecorded; and whether the new show will consist of political or social satire, comedic genres that the original sketch comedy series is widely regarded for.
Censorship restrictions on foreign-produced media continues to tighten in China, and while "SNL China" will be a domestically produced show, the impact of the new April 1 regulations will still need to be considered.
Jiang Xin, a marketing representative for Sohu, told reporters on Tuesday that Sohu will oversee the recruitment of cast members and writers, in addition to managing production.
Also, even though Michaels' involvement has not been confirmed, consultants from New York have already been enlisted to assist with the pre-production phase.
The premiere of "SNL China" is scheduled for either the end of 2015 or early next year.
