China Central Television

CCTV (中国中央电视台)
Type Television network,
Satellite television and
Cable television
Founded September 2, 1958
Headquarters Flag of the People's Republic of China Beijing, China
Industry Television Broadcasting
Products Television content, Television programming
Parent State Administration of Radio, Film, and Television
Website www.cctv.com

China Central Television or Chinese Central Television, commonly abbreviated as CCTV (simplified Chinese: 中国中央电视台; pinyin: Zhōngguó Zhōngyāng Diànshìtái) is the major television broadcaster in Mainland China. Organizationally, it is a statutory agency within the State Administration of Radio, Film, and Television which is subordinate to the State Council of the People's Republic of China. Its editorial independence is subject to government policy considerations. CCTV has a network of 18 channels broadcasting different programmes,and is accessible to more than a billion viewers in the main land China. [1]

Its news reporting follows the policy regulated by the State Administration of Radio, Film, and Television which is directly under control of the central govenrment and by default the Communist Party of China. Most of its programmes, however, are a mixure of documentary, comedy, entertainment and drama, the majority of which consists of Chinese soap operas and entertainment. Like many media outlets in China, CCTV had its state subsidy reduced dramatically in the 1990s, and hence finds it necessary to balance its role- both as a government agency and commercial broadcaster. [2]

Contents

History

The old headquarters of CCTV

CCTV aired its first ever programme in September 2, 1958, under the name Television China, after an experimental broadcasting in May 1 1958. The name was changed to CCTV on May 1, 1978. In September 2, 2008, the new CCTV Headquarters was opened on the occasion of 50th anniversary of CCTV.

At the end of 1970s, like many other Chinese TV stations, CCTV had only one channel. At that time, it had evening programs only,usually ending at midnight. During the summer and winter time, it occasionally broadcasted day time programme for students( who were on vacation). And until 1985, CCTV had already become a leading television network in China. In 1987,popularity of the CCTV was in prime due to the faithful adaption and presenatation of Dream of the Red Chamber. It was a 36-episode TV series or "Hong Lou Meng" Today that series is available on DVD and is still very popular.

Today, CCTV has 16 national channels, most of them aired around the clock - 24 hour a day, and a High Definition channel; airing certain US programs like [CSI: New York]], CSI: Miami, 24 and Lost, Documentaries, Movies, and new Chinese television series shot in HD format.

Programs

Beijing's CCTV Tower, the tallest building in the city.

Its thirty-minute evening news, Xinwen Lianbo ("network news", "news relay"), is on the air at 7:00 PM Beijing Time. By far, it is the most known and watched news program in China which mainland Chinese watch to keep up with the government's politics. Although news reform has been a prominent feature of CCTV networks, the Evening News has remained relatively the same since its first appearance in the early 1980s, having mainly focused on leaders receiving foreign guests and going on visits to foreign countries, the CPC's leaders having top meetings or conferences, and stories of courage that are supposed to exemplify one form or another of communism. Many important political news stories are broadcast through that program. This program is uploaded onto YouTube daily by Duowei, a Chinese news network.

Its yearly special program of celebrating the Chinese New Year, the CCTV New Year's Gala, is the most watched program. In 2007 research data shows that the Gala was watched by over 800 million people all over the world. It started in the early 1980s. Each year, some singers and comedians become famous because of their single performance that night.

Personalities

Main article: China Central Television personalities

Producing a variety of different programming, China Central Television has a number of different program hosts, news anchors, correspondents, and contributors which appear throughout daily programing on the network.

CCTV-1 (National network) anchors

CCTV-9 (English network) program hosts

CCTV-9 correspondents and substitute anchors

Channels

CCTV has 37 different open channels of programming content and competes with television stations run by local governments such as BTV and foreign programming which can be readily received via satellite television. The CCTV channels are listed in sequential order with no discerning descriptions, e.g. CCTV-1, CCTV-2, etc, similar to those channels in Europe and in other places around the world.

The eighteen channels are:

Overseas broadcasting

It is possible to receive channels CCTV-4 (overseas channel targeted at an oversea Chinese audience), CCTV-9 (overseas channel targeted at an English-speaking audience), CCTV-E (overseas channel targeted at Spanish-speaking audiences) and CCTV-F (similar channel for French-speakers) outside China by using a Digital Video Broadcast signal. CCTV has just recently switched from analog to DVB primarily due to better signal quality and the ability to charge for reception (about 10 USD per year subscription). The overseas channels are widely available across many cable and satellite providers.

The English language CCTV-9 feed is available in the United States on Dish Network Channel 265. It was previously also televised on DirecTV via channel 455 which ended on Monday, August 25th, 2008. CCTV-9 is also available in the United States on Time Warner Cable, channel 134 and Cox Cable, channel 322 in most areas. In the United Kingdom, CCTV-9 is available on Sky Digital channel 511. In Barbados, CCTV 9 is available via the subscription service Multi-Choice TV on channel 209. CCTV-9 is also available as a live feed from their website. The Spanish service (CCTV E) is available on Dish Network Channel 884, but not from DirecTV at this time. The Chinese language channels CCTV-1, CCTV-3 and CCTV-6 are also available via Dish Network's Great Wall TV Package and Rogers Cable in Canada.

Additionally CCTV is broadcasted over a video over the Internet service named Kylin TV.

CCTV-4 split into 3 channels beginning April 1, 2007, namely CCTV International Asia, CCTV International Europe, and CCTV International America, in order to improve service for audiences around the world.

The CCTV channels 1, 2, 4, 7, 9-12, E and F can be seen live anywhere on CCTV.com for free. However the actual live International Olympics coverage being held in Beijing from 8 August, 2008 is blacked out due to regulations of the International Olympics Committee.

See also

References

External links