No commercials?!

Something that can happen in China and not in the US -- commercial free TV.  This newspaper (Shenzhen Daily) is not known for its accuracy, specificity, or understandibility, but that seems to be the gist of the article.  In fact, since this article actually names the firm it is far ahead of most that I read in this paper.  Newspaper flaws aside, I know the Americans reading this will be jealous and I had to share:

Ads to be banned during TV dramas

2011-November-29  08:53    Shenzhen Daily

CHINA’S top broadcasting watchdog has ordered a national ban on all TV stations airing commercials during TV dramas. The new ban will take effect Jan. 1, and all TV stations must rearrange their programs to delete all commercials during TV dramas or face strict punishment, said the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT) on its Web site yesterday. A microblog survey conducted by Sina.com showed the majority of people are in favor of the ban. About 85 percent of nearly 10,000 respondents say TV commercials are so annoying that they support the ban. Some advocates complain there are now so many commercials that sometimes it’s like fragmented TV dramas are inserted into a nonstop relay of advertisements, ruining the viewing experience. Still, 11 percent of respondents opposed the ban saying the market should not be subject to excessive administrative regulations. Some questioned whether local TV stations would abide by the ban because it would allegedly cost 20 billion yuan (US$3.13 billion) in lost advertising revenue. The ban is among SARFT’s latest efforts to regulate the country’s once-rampant TV commercials. Last month, SARFT ordered a ban on sex-related commercials on radio and TV. The administration also said commercial advertisements should not be aired under the guise of a news report, or in the form of a news interview. (SD-Agencies)