Beginning Jan. 10, SARFT to ban TV shopping programs which do not obtain a permit

The State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT) recently issued a notice requiring local radio and TV authorities to strictly implement their opinions on construction and management of TV shopping channels. According to the opinions, TV stations are not allowed to set up TV shopping channels or broadcast TV shopping programs without approval from the SARFT. Beginning Jan. 10, 2010, the TV shopping programs without a permit from the SARFT will be banned.