ABSTRACT
From its inception in May 1958, television in China has been invested with political tasks. During the Cold War, with Soviet assistance, the Chinese Communist Party sought to establish the first Chinese television station before the American-backed Nationalists built one in the Republic of China on Taiwan. After television dramas, the most popular and highly rated genre on Chinese television on weekends, and third most popular after television dramas and news on weekdays, is what is known in Chinese as zongyi, 'comprehensive arts and entertainment' or 'variety' shows. The new and the only centrally administered channel headquartered in the nation's capital quickly gained prominence and influence as China's national television network, while a new station, Beijing Television, was set up to cater for the Beijing area. Provincial satellite channels spearheaded the rise of popular entertainment programming that catered more effectively to audience interests.
