29 Dec 2009 07:47

Hunan TV to help revamp Qinghai TV's programming

Shanghai. December 29. INTERFAX-CHINA - Hunan TV, China's most popular TV station, will help Qinghai TV overhaul its programming, a Hunan TV spokesman told Interfax on Dec. 29.

Qinghai TV will also begin broadcasting some of Hunan TV's most popular programs on Jan. 1, Hunan TV spokesman Li Hao said.

Li dismissed past media reports that said Hunan TV would acquire Qinghai TV. "China's State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT) has only approved a partnership between Hunan TV and Qinghai TV," Li said. "However, Chinese regulations do not allow one state-owned TV station to acquire another."

Li said the overhaul won't be completed until May 2010. Hunan TV will also lend some of its producers and well-known TV hosts to Qinghai TV, Li said.

Hunan TV is China's most popular provincial satellite TV station. It reaches 31 major Chinese markets and is especially popular among young females because of its flagship programs like "Super Girls" and "Happy Camp." Qinghai TV is one of western China's largest TV stations and airs in 24 major Chinese markets.

-HJL