SGAPPRFT to further limit reality TV

China plans to further limit reality TV shows and other entertainment programs on satellite television stations with a new policy requiring local TV stations to dedicate at least 30 percent of their weekly schedule to programs including news, culture, children's entertainment and sports, the Guangzhou-based Nandu Daily reported on Sunday.

The new policy from the State General Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television (SGAPPRFT) requires local TV stations to broadcast at least 30 minutes of domestically made documentaries and 30 minutes of domestically made children's TV per day.

The document from the administration, which was obtained by a Nandu Daily reporter from an anonymous source, demanded that each TV station can only broadcast one program that involves purchasing foreign copyright per year.

This rule would restrict the broadcasting of popular TV programs such as The Voice of China, a successful reality talent show that attracted millions of Chinese viewers but is based on Dutch format The Voice of Holland.

To "prevent duplication of similar programs," the administration said it will restrict the number of reality talent shows in China. The authority will select one talent show every three months and arrange for broadcast between 7:30 pm and 10 pm.

"With the new policy, we have to fill seven and a half hours with educational programs," an anonymous employee from a local TV station told the Nandu Daily.

A similar order was also issued in 2011 to curb the broadcasting of such programs.