China continues to crack down on foreign TV available for online streaming in the country. A state watch will require permits as well as prior review on all foreign TV shows and movies set to view online, according to China Daily.
The new regulations enforced by State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television will delay the release of these programs for Chinese audiences and not allow them to stream simultaneously with fans abroad.
"It will take the fun out of following the latest episode if I have to wait for a long time," Zhang Hui, a freelancer based in Shanghai," told China Daily. She's able to stream her favorite programs shortly after they originally air.
Some foreign content providers such as South Korea (the country's program are popular in China) want to provide as much content ahead of time, so Chinese viewers don't trail far behind the original broadcast.
The decision comes after the watchdog organization banned streaming of four popular American series, including "The Big Bang Theory" and "The Good Wife," on China's mainstream streaming sites.
None of these website commented publicly, but some experts did speak anonymously about the confusion and concerns stoked by this recent type of censorship.
"It raised our concern about copyrights, which may lead to a loss of users," said an insider from a popular online streaming site told China Daily under the condition of anonymity.
The State Administration organization also announced in September that streaming websites must obtain a public screening and distribution license for all foreign TV shows and movies by March 31, 2015 or on April 1, all unregistered properties would have to be removed. The new policy also requires foreign programs cannot exceed 30 percent of a streaming site's total content, according to China Daily.
The reason behind the tighter regulation may be to censor inappropriate actions such as sex and violence. The watchdog group also may want to promote more "positive content on the Internet," Zhang Zhian, dean of the School of Communication and Design at Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou, told China Daily.
