Imported TV series will be barred from airing during prime time on the mainland, according to an announcement from the top broadcasting regulator on Monday.
These series should run for no longer than 50 episodes, according to the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT).
The aim is to improve the quality of imported TV programs and to enrich the content of shows available in high definition, so high-definition imported TV shows are preferred.
Under the new directive, a channel cannot broadcast imported TV series during prime time - 7:30 pm to 10 pm - and the total running time of imported shows should not exceed 25 percent of the time allocated to TV series that day.
Once a channel imports a TV series, it should be first aired on the channel before it can be resold to other channels, according to SARFT.
Channels are forbidden from broadcasting unapproved TV shows produced by companies outside the Chinese mainland in the form of shorts and introductory clips.
According to the statement, the SARFT has asked provincial stations to supervise the content of TV programs made by companies outside the mainland. TV series that contain vulgar and violent scenes should not be imported.
The statement also said channels should not intensively broadcast TV series from a certain country or a certain region during the same period.
Severe punishments will be handed out for stations that are found to have violated the rules.
Professor Peng Jixiang from Peking University's School of Arts said the new order is SARFT's latest effort to protect domestic cultural products and will help create a favorable environment for TV shows made by companies on the Chinese mainland.