China bans western cartoons from television
China announced on Wednesday it will ban Scooby Doo, Bugs Bunny, the Flintstones and other western cartoons from television to protect the Chinese cartoon industry. Chinese news agency Xinhua reported this today.
Starting May 1st all foreign produced animations are banned form Chinese television screens between 5pm and 9pm. Co-productions of Chinese and foreign producers will need a special license to be broadcasted during primetime.
In 2007 China produced and televised more then 101.900 minutes of animated pictures. This was 23 per cent more then was televised in 2006.
The measures are intended to prevent foreign competition, especially from Japan. Other television shows, like realty TV, are also prohibited from screening during primetime.
The Chinese government further advises TV stations to only broadcast ‘ morally inspiring television shows‘ from now on.
Bugs Bunny is banned
