China cracks down on 'vulgar' foreign entertainment shows

China will allow satellite television stations to buy rights to broadcast only one foreign programme each year starting 2014 in a bid to tackle "vulgar and excessive" entertainment.

The State General Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film, and Television announced that foreign shows won't be aired during prime time, which is between 7:30 p.m. and 10:00 p.m., during the year of purchase of its rights, CNN reports.

According to the report, the new regulations would help to promote originality of Chinese programs and prime time would be devoted to morality-building programs of educational value.

Earlier, regulators had issued a directive to the local broadcasters for curtailing imported television shows to 50 episodes, with restricting their time to no more than 25 percent of station's total air time.

Chinese authorities have become increasingly concerned by the rising reliance on shows such as 'Chinese Idol,' based on hugely popular U.S. show 'American idol,' the report added.

Officials said broadcasters find these types of programmes easy to license and of huge popularity amongst viewers as well as sponsors.