China seeks to curb the quality of online variety shows following the interests these shows have earned from netizens since the time the shows were streamed in the mainland.
The state's media watchdog, the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television or SAPPRFT, announced it will impose stricter rules to regulate online media.
At the start of 2016, SAPPRFT has already imposed measures directed towards both online variety shows and dramas, resulting in the sacking of a few shows and the streaming of edited forms of others.
In China's annual meeting for TV industry across the country in Feb. 2016, Lou Jianhui from SAPPRFT's Bureau of Online Produced Audio-Visual Programs said the organization will standardize rules for online and broadcast shows. It will also endeavor toward classifying streaming platforms consistent with the organization's standards.
In December last year, SAPPRFT issued additional regulations for Internet productions, requiring online variety shows to seek first the approval from the organization. The watchdog has removed scores of online variety shows and dramas without prior notice or warning, according to a report from the Global Times.
The government's implementation of stricter rules in Web media productions is anchored on the impression these online shows give. Cited as examples were "Black White Planet," "S-style Show" and "Hello Gorgeous," which were taken down by the government allegedly "due to the outspoken nature of their topics."
Although there were no statements issued to rationalize on their removal, many critics play on the thought that these shows "have gone too far in their pursuit of ratings."
"S-style Show," for instance, grew to popularity for having as their guests high-profile persons, but how the hostesses interact with male guests are said to be "too steam and vulgar." Some shows, too, have been using dirty, sharp and bold words.
The Internet has become a medium for streaming shows in China since 2007, but the industry grew since 2015 by 104 percent on an annual basis.