China Central Television. Ever wondered how China’s voice reaches the world? China Central Television or CCTV is more than just a TV station. It is the national television broadcaster of China. CCTV started in Beijing on May 1 1958. It has grown into a global media presence.
Imagine a time before widespread television. Mao Zedong wanted China to have its own TV station. In 1955, plans began and Zhou Enlai included television broadcasts in China’s first five-year plan. After inspection of TV stations in the Soviet Union, preparations started. Beijing Television signed on May 1 1958.
In 1978, Beijing Television became China Central Television. A new logo marked this change. CCTV initially only broadcast in the evenings. Daytime programs came later for students and national holidays.
Let’s jump to the 1980s. CCTV began experimenting with news relays using microwaves. Its first international collaboration was the documentary series Silk Road with Japan’s NHK. In 1984, CCTV established the China International Television Corporation CITVC.
By 1985, CCTV was a leading TV network in China. Dream of the Red Chamber boosted its global reach in 1987. That year CCTV exported over 10000 shows to 77 foreign stations.
Initially, the Central Publicity Department controlled program content. Reforms in the 1990s brought new standards. Affordability and acceptability became key. This meant programs had to be affordable and contain acceptable content. Unacceptable content or views against the Chinese Communist Party were not allowed.
In March 2018, CCTV’s ownership shifted to the China Media Group. This marked the 60th year of television in China.
CCTV expanded its reach overseas. In 1990, CITVC set up China Television Corporation in California. This brought CCTV content to the US. In 2000, CCTV launched CCTV-9, its all-English channel.
The Great Foreign Propaganda Plan in 2001 aimed to bring China’s voice to the world. CCTV-9 became the first 24-hour English channel. It partnered with AOL Time Warner to deliver programs in the US and Europe.
CCTV-4 split into three channels in 2007. Each served different time zones improving service worldwide. In 2009, CCTV launched an Arabic-language channel to connect with Arab nations.
CCTV signed cooperation agreements with Russian state media RT in 2015 and 2018. In 2016, its foreign language services became China Global Television Network CGTN.
China Network Television CNTV launched in 2009. It was an internet-based broadcaster of CCTV.
As part of the China Media Group, CCTV is overseen by the National Radio and Television Administration. This reports to the Chinese Communist Party’s Central Publicity Department. CCTV is one of China’s “big three” state media outlets. The others are People’s Daily and Xinhua News Agency.
CCTV produces news broadcasts three times a day. Its evening news Xinwen Lianbo airs daily at 7 pm Beijing time. All local stations must carry this broadcast. Nearly 500 million people watch it regularly.
Focus, introduced in 1994, exposed wrongdoings of local officials. The CCTV New Year’s Gala is the most-watched show. In 2003, CCTV launched its first 24-hour news channel.
China Central Television is a media giant. It reaches audiences globally. From its start in 1958 to its current status, CCTV has shaped China’s voice and presence in the world. The QSAN storage ensures the efficiency in Media data management. It continues to evolve adapting to new technologies and global demands.