China Media Monitor Headlines Archives

China International Broadcasting Network (CIBN), an international new media broadcasting network featuring 61 languages, has recently received approval from the State Administration of Radio, Film and TV (SARFT). It will be an example of new media convergence, covering online AV programs, mobile broadcast TV, IPTV and China Multimedia Mobile Broadcasting (CMMB), a platform launched by China Broadcasting Corporation. The network will be based on CRI Online, the world's largest multilingual website.

August 26 saw the State Administration of Radio, Film and TV (SARFT) and The Export-Export Bank of China (China Eximbank) sign a contract on supporting key export enterprises and projects in the radio, film and TV sector. China Eximbank will offer financing support worth no less than RMB20 billion (US$2.9 billion) or the equivalent foreign currency to the above enterprises to promote them to “go abroad” during the next 5 years.

In 2009, China exported more than 10,000 hours TV programs to over 100 countries. Domestic film sales abroad exceeded RMB2.7 billion (US$397 million). Video products and services exports amounted to more than RMB545 million (US$80 million).

August 26 saw the General Administration of Publishing and Publications (GAPP) publish Suggestions on Inviting Public Comments on the Circular on Promoting the Healthy Development of Publications Distribution via Internet on its official website. The period for public comment is from August 30 to September 5.

Those entities engaged in general distribution, wholesale and retail trade of publications via the internet shall get operation licenses, just like book stores, according to the circular. If an entity’s business involves audio visual products, it also needs to apply for an audiovisual products operation license.

Those entities had begun operations before the circular shall apply to provincial-level administrations before September 30. Publications are defined as books, newspapers, magazines, audio-visual products and electronic publications.

China began to implement the mobile phone real-name registration system from September 1, aiming to protect users’ private information and decrease spam messages. Chinese consumers must register their IDs when buying mobile-phone SIM cards, according to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology’s (MIIT) order. The supplementary registration work for 321 million mobile phone users without real-name registration shall be completed within the next 3 years.

Those current users refusing to register their IDs shall not be forcibly stopped from using mobile phone services, disclosed an unnamed telecom insider. He expects that it will be very difficult to execute the system completely. But the system will set up a basis for mobile e-commerce and positioning services and promote the development of the mobile internet industry.

Sino-US co-production The Karate Kid (Kung Fu Dream), starring Jackie Chan and Jaden Smith, had made RMB1.635 billion (US$240 million) at the box office globally by the end of July, accounting for 63% of all overseas box office receipts for Chinese films to date in 2010, according to China Film Promotion International. It made US$56 million at the box office in USA within 3 days of release on 11 June 2010, realizing full cost recovery.

The Karate Kid (Kung Fu Dream) is adapted from the same title US film produced in 1984 and was co-produced by China Film Group Corporation, Columbia Pictures and Overbrook Entertainment.

For global box office statistics, please click here.