Nation limits entertainment programs

BEIJING - China's television watchdog has capped the amount of entertainment programs, including reality TV shows, that satellite channels can broadcast.

From Jan 1, next year, each of the country's 34 satellite channels will be limited to two such programs each week, said a statement issued on Tuesday by the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT). Under the new directive, a channel can also broadcast a maximum of 90 minutes of content defined as entertainment every day during the prime time hours of 7:30 pm to 10 pm.

The decision is the latest move to curb TV shows of "excessive entertainment" and "low taste", the statement said. Included in this are some matchmaker programs, talent contests, talk shows and reality shows.