Rumor: SARFT to Ban Ads During TV Dramas in 2012
International Finance News, 11/22/11
China's State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT) will prohibit TV advertising during TV drama broadcasts at all times of day next year on all TV stations nationwide, including CCTV, according to an industry source. The source estimates that the new policy will cause the industry to lose at least RMB 20 bln in revenue.
The rumor was reported by a source within Jiangsu TV Station and independently confirmed by a source within Shanghai TV's news center offices.
SARFT's 2003 Provisional Regulations Regarding Broadcast TV Advertising Management stipulates that no TV ads can interrupt programming during primetime (7-9 PM). On September 10, 2009, SARFT amended the regulations to allow a single ad break no longer than 1 minute in length.
Keywords: TV advertising revenue television CCTV SARFT TV Drama regulation