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China Tightens Control over Televised Pop Talent Contests

China's broadcast regulator has issued a circular that aims to improve the quality and control the total number of pop talent contests organized or televised by TV stations.

"The number of nationwide or provincial contests must be restricted and the quality of these contests must be guaranteed," said the circular, issued by the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television on March 13. It also said that contestants must be above the age of 18, otherwise organizers must seek the approval of the administration.

Last year's most popular contest in China, Super Girls, an American Idol-type singing contest, produced by Hunan satellite TV, attracted more than 150,000 participants, many of whom were teenagers. One selling point of the contest was that there were no restrictions on age, experience or background. "Sing as you wish" was the contest's slogan.

The circular said that programmes must avoid being vulgar. It also urges judges of such contests to be fair and true in their judgment.