Beginning July 1, all remakes of foreign TV shows are banned in China. The ban was imposed by China’s top media regulator to promote originality among local television programs.
Among the shows that would be affect is "The Voice of China" which is a local version of a popular talent search program in The Netherlands and with remakes in other countries. The State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television (SAPPRFT) said on Saturday that all television outlets must submit these shows for review two months before airing.
The state regulator must approve the shows before it could be broadcast, reported Japan Times. The SAPPRFT explained, “The reliance on imported program formats has been squeezing out the creative incentive of domestic producers and broadcasters.”
The agency said that local TV audience are seeking more Chinese original shows that are fun to watch and feature healthy tastes.
The new rules limit satellite channels to not exceeding two foreign or foreign adaptations of TV shows during prime time, which is from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. annually, reported China Daily. If it would be shown over China for the first time, only one such show could be aired yearly, the SAPPRFT ruled, and it could not be shown on prime time.
Besides “Voice of China,” the new rule would also affect "Running Man" where “Descendants of the Sun” actor Song Joong-ki used to appear for seven years, reported Asiancorrespondent.