China's state-run TV channels have drastically slashed entertainment programmes by 69 per cent following a government order to cut down the "low taste" shows. The rule,implemented recently,has effectively curbed the "excessive entertainment" trend as two-thirds of the entertainment programmes on China's 34 satellite channels have been cut down,the country's top broadcasting watchdog said today. The total number of entertainment shows airing during primetime every week had been reduced to 38 from 126 at the end of 2011,marking a 69 per cent plunge,a statement by the State Administration of Radio,Film and Television (SARFT) said. According to a directive issued by SARFT last October,each of the country's satellite channels would be limited to broadcasting two entertainment programmes every week and a maximum of 90 minutes of content would be defined as entertainment every day during primetime. The directive also required channels to broadcast at least two hours of news programmed between 6 am and midnight. The restricted programmes on the SARFT list include dating shows,talent contests,talk shows as well as emotional stories that were deemed "excessive entertainment" and of "low taste." The statement said that the satellite channels have started broadcasting programmes that promote traditional virtues and socialist core values,state-run Xinhua reported. The SARFT believes that the move to cut down entertainment programmes is crucial to improving cultural services for the public by offering high-quality programmes.
