Mainland delays HK TV shows

A popular video website on Wednesday confirmed that it has received a notice from the State broadcasting regulator to pull down online streams of Hong Kong TV dramas for review.

"We received the notice about two to three weeks ago. We are complying with the rule," a spokesperson of Youku told the Global Times.

The Hong Kong TV shows are the latest target of the State broadcasting regulator's new rule on managing online streams of non-mainland and overseas-produced TV shows.

The State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television (SAPPRFT) introduced the rule in September 2014, requiring a review of all overseas TV series, including those from the US, the UK and South Korea before they are shown online in the Chinese mainland.

The Youku spokesperson said that Hong Kong TV shows were also put under the "overseas production" category, and that they will also be reviewed before broadcast.

Chinese fans of overseas dramas will have to deal with a delayed online broadcast after the whole season ends.

Analysts said the new rule reflects the authorities' commitment to regulating online content, and may give rise to more domestic productions.

Major online video sites Youku and Tudou signed an exclusive contract with Hong Kong broadcaster Television Broadcasts Limited, commonly known as TVB, to broadcast their productions.

None of this year's recently aired Hong Kong dramas have so far been shown on the Chinese mainland's video streaming sites.

The new rule has sparked lively discussions across the mainland's cyberspace.

"Who would be willing to wait half a year? This would encourage people to watch pirated copies," wrote an online user.

It remains uncertain when this year's Hong Kong dramas will be shown on the Chinese mainland.

The broadcast cycle for TVB's productions generally lasts about a month, with one episode shown five days a week.

A popular TVB drama series called When Heaven Burns was banned on the Chinese mainland in 2011.

While the reason for the ban was unclear, many people believe the drama featured controversial content such as cannibalism.

Another TVB series, The Ultimate Addiction, was also banned on the Chinese mainland for featuring slogans of the Falun Gong, a cult banned on the Chinese mainland since 1999.

In April last year, popular US TV shows like The Big Bang Theory and Homeland were pulled down from online video websites in the Chinese mainland for unspecified policy reasons.

Other US TV shows, including Agent Carter and Shameless, were removed from major online streaming sites on January 21 following the new rule.