Today (the editor: Wednesday), The Big Bang Theory, the first foreign TV show to be granted permission to stream on Chinese websites by Chinese watchdog the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television, began airing its eighth season on video website tv.sohu.com.
"The Big Bang Theory exploded among core audiences at the beginning and gradually spread to peripheral groups," said Zhang Chaoyang, Sohu chairman and CEO, commenting on the show's seemingly unstoppable popularity in China.
One of the most popular sitcoms in the US, the show has topped the ratings since it first appeared on the airwaves in 2007 and has won numerous victories at the Emmy, Golden Globe and People's Choice awards. Jim Parsons, who plays Sheldon Cooper on the show, has won Outstanding Lead Actor at the Emmys four times.
"After hot sitcom Friends, both American and Chinese audiences needed time to become familiar with The Big Bang Theory's narrative approach. Now, people have accepted its style and have been addicted since season four," said Zhou Liming, a Chinese movie critic.