China's TV watchdog released tougher regulations for foreign TV shows available on online streaming sites, raising concerns among Chinese fans and the online video industry.
The regulations, released by the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television, said all foreign TV shows and movies must have permits and be reviewed by TV watchdogs before being made available for viewing online, which means that Chinese audiences will have to wait to watch the shows and will not be able to follow them simultaneously with fans overseas.
Although all mainstream online video sites declined to comment publicly, confusion and concerns were raised among experts who spoke anonymously.
"It raised our concern about copyrights, which may lead to a loss of users," said an insider from a popular online streaming site who talked only under condition of anonymity, adding that they raised concerns at a recent hearing with the administration.
However, the insider said that the regulation won't hurt the site because foreign TV shows make up less than 5 percent of their shows.
Some producers in South Korea — which makes many shows that are popular in China — hope to provide full demos in advance to be censored, the insider said.
In April, four popular American TV shows, includingThe Big Bang Theory, were banned on mainstream streaming sites in China.
The discussion hit the top 10 hot topics on Sina Weibo.