China's Radio and Television Administration has decided to place a blanket ban on all foreign TV content on Chinese television during prime time that stretched from 19:00 to 22:00, along with abruptly placing a 30% quota on all video streaming platform for any imported foreign content.
While China funnels millions of hours of Chinese content that keep increasing and without restriction into territories like Africa during the entire day - including prime time - China in a blatant double standard, doesn't want international content to be shown in China because it wants to prevent "a negative influence on viewers".
The Chinese pay-TV StarTimes operating in Africa and under the StarSat brand in South Africa where it competes with Naspers' MultiChoice for African eyeballs and subscriber fees, pumps dozens of Chinese packaged TV channels into Africa filled with Chinese shows and films.
Under the new regulations China wants to protect itself and Chinese from content that "deviates from socialist core values".
Under the Chinese regulator's increased restrictions, foreign talent such as writers, directors and actors are not allowed to comprise more than one-fifth of total talent in Chinese TV dramas.
In addition, a TV show's writer and director are not allowed to both be foreigners. A lead foreign actor and actress are also banned, with only one allowed per show at maximum.
