China takes popular TV talent show "Super Girl" off air

Chinese regulators have told a TV station to stop broadcasting a talent show called "Super Girl", which is a very popular singing competition for women.

The authorities say the programme is too long - although many suspect other reasons.

Chinese officials often ban programmes they think are too vulgar or not suitable.

A senior employee at the station told the BBC that regulators were jealous of the popularity and financial success of Super Girl.

"It is widely believed that the real reason for the ban is that Hunan TV's talent programmes have been extremely popular," she said.

"Sometimes its audience can exceed that of the national broadcaster, something that causes unhappiness in SARFT. It's all down to interests."

Some also suggest that the programme was too low-brow or in bad taste - a reason often given by regulators for banning a programme.

The authorities have just taken a whole channel off air for a month because it broadcast a show that it said had caused a "negative impact on society".

Hunan Satellite Television said it would abide by the regulators' decision to ban "Super Girl" next year and would instead show more uplifting programmes.

"The channel will air programmes that promote moral ethics and public safety, and provide practical information for housework," Li Hao, the station's deputy editor-in-chief, was quoted as saying.

R.S.

for further information: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-14972480