In an attempt to regulate radio and television programming with foreign content, China’s National Radio and Television Administration (NRTA) issued draft legislation titled “Provisions for the Administration of the Import and Transmission of Foreign Audio-Visual Programs (Draft for Comments). The NRTA is seeking public input on the draft.
According to the proposed legislation, foreign-made films, television drama, cartoons, documentaries and other TV programs must not exceed 30% of the total broadcasting time. Without the approval of the Radio and Television Department under the State Council, radio and television stations must not broadcast overseas audio-visual programs between 7pm and 10pm every day.
In addition, to regulate foreign personnel’s participation in the production of radio or television shows, the NRTA issued draft legislation titled “Provisions for Overseas Personnel's Participation in the Production of Radio and Television Programs (Draft for Comment)”. This applies to the employment of personnel from foreign countries, as well as from Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, for the production of programming in China. It prohibits broadcasting agencies from hiring foreign personnel as hosts of television shows. Gala-type events that are joint production between China’s broadcasting agencies and their foreign counterparts, international channels, or stations that must employ foreign personnel as presenters are required to meet the requirements set forth by the NRTA.
Furthermore, the proposed legislation states that in domestically produced television drama, the number of foreign personnel in the production crew cannot exceed 20%. Crew from Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, however, are exempt. The director and the screenwriter cannot both be foreign; the lead actor and the lead actress cannot both be foreign. Similar rules apply to the production crew of domestically produced variety shows and talk shows.
According to the proposed legislation, foreign-made films, television drama, cartoons, documentaries and other TV programs must not exceed 30% of the total broadcasting time. Without the approval of the Radio and Television Department under the State Council, radio and television stations must not broadcast overseas audio-visual programs between 7pm and 10pm every day.
In addition, to regulate foreign personnel’s participation in the production of radio or television shows, the NRTA issued draft legislation titled “Provisions for Overseas Personnel's Participation in the Production of Radio and Television Programs (Draft for Comment)”. This applies to the employment of personnel from foreign countries, as well as from Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, for the production of programming in China. It prohibits broadcasting agencies from hiring foreign personnel as hosts of television shows. Gala-type events that are joint production between China’s broadcasting agencies and their foreign counterparts, international channels, or stations that must employ foreign personnel as presenters are required to meet the requirements set forth by the NRTA.
Furthermore, the proposed legislation states that in domestically produced television drama, the number of foreign personnel in the production crew cannot exceed 20%. Crew from Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, however, are exempt. The director and the screenwriter cannot both be foreign; the lead actor and the lead actress cannot both be foreign. Similar rules apply to the production crew of domestically produced variety shows and talk shows.