09/17/2011

China media watchdog pulls smash-hit talent show .

BEIJING — China's media watchdog has pulled the plug on the nation's smash-hit answer to "American Idol" to make way for shows that "provide practical information for housework", state media said Saturday.

Much like its US counterpart, "Super Girl" -- launched in 2004 -- proved an instant hit, attracting hundreds of millions of viewers and turning some of its singing contestants into nationwide celebrities.

Li Hao, spokesman for Hunan Satellite TV -- which aired the programme and is part of one the nation's biggest television networks -- said the channel had been accused of violating broadcasting rules, Xinhua news agency said.

According to the report, the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television, China's media watchdog, issued rules in 2007 banning talent shows during prime-time, evening slots on local satellite TV channels.

It also restricted the broadcasting time of these shows to just two hours a day due to official concerns that young viewers were spending too much time watching the hugely popular programmes.

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Sep 17, 2011 6:05:03 PM | Current Affairs, Entertainment

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