2011 Spring Festival Gala to start at noon

The 2011 Spring Festival Gala begins at noon on Feb. 2, which is the final day of 2010 according to the Chinese calendar, and will go until 2011 arrives at midnight.

The large-scale live broadcast "Countdown to the Gala" features hosts and hostesses such as Bi Fujian, Zhang Lei, Guan Tong, Xiaoni and Li Sisi.

Popular comedian Zhao Benshan will again showcase his talents with his comedy drama "Meeting of the Stars," which will feature actress Shen Chunyang, the wife of comic Xiao Shenyang. Supposedly, Shen portray Halley's Comet and Zhao will play the Earth.

Contrary to last year's Gala, this time there will be no commercials, according to General Director Chen Linchun, although companies offering New Year's greetings will pay at least 10 million yuan ($1.46 million) for each message.