Documentary makers shift focus to ordinary lives

Foreign documentary producers, who have recently joined CCTV-9 as consultants for the largest Chinese TV network's documentary channel, say good subject matter needs to be sourced to enhance the appeal of co-productions between China and other countries.

Steve Burns, former executive vice-president of global content at National Geographic Channel, says major United States nonfiction networks have covered many subjects related to China, such as China's first emperor Qin Shihuang (259-210 BC), the Terracotta Warriors and Great Wall.

"Those programs centering on classic topics did attract international audiences, but they were oft-repeated. Chinese documentary makers should look for new topics when pitching a program to their potential foreign partners," he says.