China Culls 'Low Taste' Shows

China's satellite broadcasters have eliminated more than two-thirds of prime-time entertainment programs such as dating and reality shows to comply with tough new government restrictions, as Beijing increasingly seeks to rein in cultural trends it finds problematic.

The state-run Xinhua news agency said that satellite broadcasters have winnowed the number of entertainment shows aired during prime time to 38 from 126. A new rule that came into effect on Sunday limits the number of entertainment programs the broadcasters air to two each week and a maximum of 90 minutes daily between 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. The rule, first announced in October, is targeted at what Chinese regulators have called "excessive entertainment and a trend toward low taste," to address the rise of talent shows, dating shows and other such programming aired by China's tightly regulated, but increasingly competitive, regional satellite broadcasters. Authorities also encouraged broadcasters to air more news and educational programming. "Satellite channels have started to broadcast programs that promote traditional virtues and socialist core values," Xinhua cited China's broadcasting regulator as saying. The rule is part of a broad government effort to take firmer control of China's media landscape, an effort that also includes the nation's freewheeling Internet culture.