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Say no to TV gala shows

(China Daily)
Updated: 2008-12-30 07:39

The Guangdong authorities' decision not to hold a Spring Festival gala show on local TV on the eve of the Lunar New Year is indeed welcome, says an article in Xinhuanet.com. An excerpt follows:

It is reported that Gu Zuoyi, head of the Party publicity department in Guangdong province, said the other day that the province will not organize a TV gala on the New Year Eve. He echoed the public opinion that there have been too many low-quality evening parties on the TV.

This is an advisable move. It is common in China that local governments sponsor gala shows on local TV to celebrate the coming of the traditional Spring Festival. It is known that local galas are much inferior to the one organized by the CCTV either in quality or in visual effects. The concentrated show of all kinds of TV galas throughout the country has not only bored audiences, but has also caused a huge waste of money.

Also, most of simply organized TV parties have suffered a decline in rating. The great zeal for some local regions to sponsor a low-rating gala is attributed to their pursuit of individual performances or profits.

Guangdong's latest move indicates its pragmatic entertainment spirit. Any TV programs should pay full respect to audiences' demand and social development. Otherwise, it will evolve into a purely self-entertainment activity of a few people pursuing their specific intentions.

(China Daily 12/30/2008 page8)