CCTV plans to cut 60% gala shows next year

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In order to curb the costs of holding gala shows, China Central Television (CCTV) announced today that it plans to cut the number of shows aired between September and December in 2013 and 2014, according to a Xinhua report.

The national TV station decided to cut 17 gala shows from this September to December and 56 gala shows in 2014, about 50 and 60 percent of its original programming plan, respectively.

A director at CCTV said the broadcaster will reduce excessive usage of audio/visual effects, invite fewer big stars, but more common audience members, in its self-designed gala shows, like the Spring Festival Gala.

At the same time, it will celebrate the Qingming, Dragon Boat, Mid-Autumn, Double Ninth, and Qixi festivals through news reports, feature programs and talk shows in place of gala shows.

CCTV will also stop co-hosting gala shows with ministries, provinces, social organizations and state-owned organizations, while introducing provincial cultures and travel pieces by news reports.

Hosts, anchors and other staff members are also banned from joining and hosting gala shows, celebrations, ceremonies and events outside the station.

CCTV will strictly control the fund input in popular variety shows as a national TV station.

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