The top three super girls (L to R), Li Yuchun, Zhang Liangying and Zhou Bichang, stand after a night competition on August 19, 2005. [sina.com]

Ouyang Changlin, general manager of Hunan Radio, Film and TV Group as well as the head of Hunan Satellite TV, said yesterday at the launch of a new round of the American Idol-type singing contest that the earnings mainly came from commercials and some Super Girl spin-offs.

No one under 18 will be allowed to compete this year.

Mugs with photoes of the "Super Girls" decorated are put onto the shelves in a Hangzhou boutique on August 31, 2005. The popular mug sells for 30 yuan each, said the shop owner, and they are well received among customers. [newsphoto]

Super Girls has become a new cultural franchise industry. Super Girl-related short messages and mobile phones ring tones had brought big profits to telecom corporations while music Websites also got a share, he said.

Super Girl Dolls and other spinoffs are in the works.