Chinese Gov’t wary of TV talent shows
Min Lee

HONG KONG—Inspired in part by “American Idol,” Chinese talent shows have captivated millions of viewers in the past two years — and unnerved some Chinese officials.
In August, the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT) labelled one talent show “coarse” and shut it down. Also this year, it ordered producers of another show to avoid scenes of screaming fans and tearful losers, and to stick to “healthy” songs and a “mainstream” wardrobe, state media reported.
Behind this crackdown, experts say, is official concern that programming standards are deteriorating as the shows proliferate — by one estimate, more than 50 are currently on air. Some also suspect that the government fears that viewer polls, which some of the talent shows use to select winners, could somehow be turned into a platform for public dissent about issues that have nothing to do with electing a pop idol.
“Popular grievances have been accumulating for the past few years, such as mine accidents and fake products,” said James Sung, a political scientist at the City University of Hong Kong. “This livelihood-related dissatisfaction is building and could be vented through this kind of show.”
As people grow accustomed to voting via the Internet or their mobile phones, the concept could be extended to social issues, added a Hong Kong-based media executive, speaking on condition of anonymity because he isn’t authorized to speak to the press.
Until two years ago, talent shows on Chinese television were rather drab affairs, with conservatively dressed contestants belting out tunes for a panel of judges.
Then came “Super Girls 2005.” The Hunan Satellite show brought in contestants with spiky hair and ditched professional judging for a popular vote.
More than 400 million viewers tuned in its finale, and several million voted via mobile-phone text messages. The show shattered ratings records, according to state media, beating the most prestigious Chinese television show of all — state broadcaster CCTV’s Chinese New Year Festival Gala.
Hunan Satellite’s advertising revenue surged. The show’s sponsor, milk company Mengniu, saw its sales rise fivefold in major cities, according to ACNielsen figures.
Other Chinese broadcasters eagerly copied the format.