China bans The Simpsons from primetime TV

 

 

China has banned The Simpsons from primetime television and is also set to make it illegal for networks to show Pokemon and Mickey Mouse cartoons in the evening.

The decision to remove foreign cartoons is part of a move to protect the domestic animation industry.

The ruling Communist Party is also worried about the effect foreign pop culture will have on the minds of the country's youth.

The State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT) has decided to ban all foreign cartoons during "golden hours" between 5pm and 8pm, starting September 1st.

Although the ban has not been officially announced, local networks have been informed of the new regulation, which allows foreign cartoons such as the Simpsons and Mickey Mouse to appear only after 8pm.

The regulation was aimed at saving the domestic cartoon industry by "clearing up the sky" with preferential policies, the Southern Metropolis News said.

But it has already sparked controversy, with some claiming the decision is "irrational."

The newspaper said: "This is a worrying, short-sighted policy and would not solve the fundamental problems in China's cartoon industry."

The Southern Metropolis said it was reasonable and necessary to introduce a quota system to protect the domestic industry, but the complete prohibition of foreign cartoons and compulsory screening of domestic ones during prime time was irrational.

Surveys showed about 80 percent of Chinese children interviewed like foreign cartoons.

Japanese cartoons are also popular among Chinese children.

Domestic cartoons have had difficulty airing during "golden hours" and had trouble recovering investments due to their low popularity among Chinese children, Xinhua said.

Cartoon programmes co-produced by domestic and foreign animation studios need to obtain approval from SARFT to air during prime time from the beginning of next month.

That's Communism for yah.