Experts criticize "excessive entertainment" in TV

Post of "Happy Boys"

Chinese literature and art experts attending a symposium on Monday called for reducing entertainment-focused TV programs during primetime hours as the country's talent shows have dominated programming in recent years.

In order to drive up ratings, dating shows and talk shows have made frequent appearances during primetime line-ups in China's provincial-level TV stations. Most of those programs are deemed to be of "low taste" by the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT), a state industry watchdog.

In 2007, the SARFT issued a list of rules to uphold morality during the sequel of the popular TV talent contest "Happy Boys."

"Happy Boys," a talent show akin to "American Idol," was ordered to contain only "ideologically healthy and ethically inspiring" songs.

At Monday's symposium, which was held by the China Television Arts Committee (CTAC), Zeng Qingrui, a professor from Beijing-based Communication University of China, said that the concept of "money worship," which hints at the flaunting of luxurious lifestyles, is advocated in some dating shows and has challenged the bottom line of universal values.

Aside from dating shows, there have been more and more entertainment elements in some news and cultural programs, said Wang Danyan, vice director of the CTAC.

That literary and art works should influence audience with truthful feelings has been lost, he added.

Li Zhun, former deputy chairperson of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles, said that economic, cultural and service programs should dominate primetime programming, not entertainment shows.

Cultural programs could have a bright future if TV stations abandoned their reckless pursuits of ratings, he said.