CCTV tries new outreach through reality show

China Central Television's Channel 4 premiered a reality TV show on Saturday in a bid to appeal to a broader audience.

The 12-episode China - Through My Eyes has picked 16 foreign students to stay with ordinary Chinese people and experience different kinds of lifestyles. It is derived from Chinese Bridge, an iconic CCTV annual competition in which overseas students are asked to take a Chinese-language test.

When that competition turned 15 this year, it was dressed in the new format to better showcase Chinese culture to the outside world.