Chinese talent show cancelled for being 'too democratic'

The Chinese show 'Super Girl' will not be returning in 2012 after the government decreed it was 'too democratic'. File photo / Thinkstock

A Chinese talent show has been cancelled for being "too democratic".

Despite its high ratings and popularity - the 2005 season finale was watched by 400 million people - the Idol-style show 'Super Girl' will not be returning to Chinese airways in 2012.

China Daily reported that the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT) told Hunan Satellite Television that the show violated a cap on screen time. The premiere in July lasted 182 minutes, while SARFT caps shows at 90.

"Instead, the channel will air programs that promote moral ethics and public safety and provide practical information for housework," Li Hao, spokesperson for the channel, told the Chinese newspaper.

However, some believe censorship is the real reason for the show's cancellation, which has faced criticism from officials in the past.

Like Idol, the show allows viewers to vote for their favourite singers through text messages and phone polls. This 'Western-style' of voting was seen as 'subversive' by some officials.

Liu Zhongde, an official with the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, told Danwei.com in 2006 that the show was "poison for the youth".

"Take a look at how the audiences are watching this program, and you'll find that amid unthinking laughter people have been corrupted," said Liu.

"The cultural departments have a responsibility to prevent this corruption; they must strengthen their administration of this sort of program."

The following year, voting by text was banned.

Ouyang Changlin, director and Communist party secretary of Hunan Broadcasting System, the satellite TV station's parent, told the Financial Times earlier this year that the station was revamping programming in response to new censorship demands.

Ouyang said the station its programs more acceptable to the authorities. SARFT officials had demanded that broadcasters should be led by "quality, responsibility and values".

- HERALD ONLINE