Brief Introduction to China Central Television, 2007

China Central Television, or CCTV, is a national television station of the People's Republic of China. It was on its trial broadcast on May 1st, 1958, and formally launched its programs on air on September 2nd of the year.

　　As a backbone of news media in China, CCTV not only provides information to the general public across China but also works as an effective channel for the communication between China and the rest of the world.

　　Broadcasting over a large land and a population of 1.3 billion by the end of 2004, CCTV programs cover over 94% of Chinese population, about 1.2 billion viewers.

　　China Central Television is currently operating 16 public channels, 10 paid digital TV channels, 2 IPTV channels and 1 HDTV channel, broadcasting more than 600 hours programs a day. The 16 public channels are Comprehensive Channel, Economy/Life and Services Channel, Arts and Entertainment Channel, International Channel(Chinese), Sports Channel, Movie Channel, Agriculture/Youth and Military Channel, TV Drama Channel, International Channel(English), Science and Education Channel, Traditional Chinese Opera Channel, Society and Law Channel, News Channel, Children's Channel, Music Channel, and International Channel(Spanish and French). The content aired on these channels cover nearly all of social life.

　　As China's national television station, CCTV Comprehensive Channel is the major television channel which broadcasts news and policies of China. In order to guarantee the information disseminated smoothly, there are specific regulation which regulated that television stations, retransmitting station, transpose station and cable television station of each province and municipality shall relay all the programs of CCTV Comprehensive Channel.

　　By adopting a “branded channel” strategy in 2005, CCTV progresses in a new stage. In 2006, based on this strategy, Mr. Zhao Huayong, the Director of CCTV, brought upon the concept of "Green Audience Rating", leading CCTV to become the worldly TV station with features of “national characteristics, national style, and world influence”.