As China continues to reform state-owned industries to meet market demand, the "State Administration of Radio, Film and Television" has launched a new initiative. SARFT hopes to stimulate rapid development of the media sector.
SARFT affirmed television must become the leading media industry. To do this, television stations will gradually introduce pay-per-view programming, expand viewers' options, and integrate different media resources.
The administration is also pushing for the further development of network and digital television. And to catch up with new mobile phone technology, TV programming for cellphones will be imported.
The state-owned broadcast television industry will soon separate commercial production from political administration. In addition, commercial assets will be restructured. With broadened investment, more markets will be accessible.
Through integration and structural changes, some major radio, film and television companies will be reorganized.
(CCTV February 27, 2004)
