'The Voice of China' Season 2 Popularity Sparks Crackdown By Communist Party
Imagine if President Obama and the Federal Communications Commission wanted NBC's "The Voice" and other singing competition-type shows to tone it down because it adds a bit too much razzle dazzle and 'sensationalism' to TV?
Well, the crackdown is happening in China, where "The Voice of China" is taking over the airwaves, and the government is in fear of overstimulating its people with "low taste" and "excessive entertainment,"CBS News reports.
"The Voice of China" follows in the footsteps of 60 other "Voice" spinoffs around the globe that are based on the original Dutch production.
But the ratings in China blow away the ratings in the U.S. with China accumulating a massive 64 million viewers a week, compared to 14 million in the U.S., CBS News adds.
Like the U.S. version of "The Voice," (among others), the talent is legit on "The Voice of China." One contestant unexpectedly shocked the judges with her version of Adele's "Someone Like You" last year.
While the ratings are both surprising and impressive, the focus has shifted to the government crackdown on a supposed over-saturation of sensationalism on TV.
The State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television, which falls under the direct supervision of the State Council, recently put the smack down on these reality singing competitions, saying, "there would be no other versions of these shows allowed."
The controversial, anti-entertainment ax didn't stop there.
Currently, there are 13 singing competition shows on the air in China, CBS News pointed out, but four have been canceled and another three suspended because of these new regulations.
TV producers are also feeling the pressure as well after being told they "should steer clear of 'extravagance, putting on dazzling packaging, and playing up sensational elements' in order to provide 'more viewing options.'"
"It's possible for them to want to promote an environment of more simple and less western-style lifestyle," Hong Kong student Jane Wang, told CBS News' Seth Doane.
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