The worldwide hit U.S. sitcom "The Big Bang Theory" becomes the first foreign television show to get approval after the country's entertainment and media authority released new Chinese website streaming regulations.
China's State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television (SARFT) has required all TV shows from abroad to pass through a review before getting streamed at online sites in the country.
The eighth season of "The Big Bang Theory" will be available via the video Web portal tv.sohu.com, starting July 22, the website told the Global Times.
The popular show, along with three others, was removed by the SARFT in April 2014 after garnering over 1.3 billion views.
According to the group, the shows failed to get approval from the authority. As well, they had some contents that hurt the country's honor and interests, and promote violence, eroticism, gambling, terrorism and disobedience to laws to its young audiences.
In Sept. 2013, the SARFT decided to regulate such shows by requiring them to undergo a review before getting approval before their episodes are shown online in the Chinese mainland.
The review process could take a month for every show, some insiders stated.
On Chinese cyberspace, the move has earned mixed reactions. Some expressed disappointment, as they were eager to watch the show. Others have expected that many changes will be made to the original content.
Meanwhile, online streaming sites were also obligated since May to register the foreign movies and TV shows they plan to host. Otherwise, unregistered contents will be removed from their platforms.