China is clamping down on imported television shows and remakes that use formats from abroad in a bid to "promote domestic originality," the country's top media regulator has said.
The move, effective July 1, will mean that the airing of remakes of foreign reality TV shows such as "The Voice of China," a wildly popular version of a Dutch program, would need to be approved by authorities, state media reported Monday.
In a statement Saturday citing the importance of promoting "Chinese cultural characteristics," the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television said it will require all television outlets to submit such shows for review two months before broadcast, the China Daily reported. Only those approved can be aired on national channels.