U.S. TV shows removed from Chinese streaming services

BEIJING, Jan. 22 (UPI) -- A Chinese crackdown on foreign television shows has forced U.S. programs, including "Agent Carter" and "Empire" from streaming portals in China.

New content rules issued by China's State General Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television (SAPPRFT) force producers of drama programs to submit a full year of episodes, with subtitles, for censorship before they can be allowed on any of China's popular Internet streaming services. While it has been common for Chinese-produced television series to undergo the process, and the programs are presented only after a year of episodes has been produced and reviewed by censors, U.S. series typically arrive on the streaming sites on a week-by-week basis. Other U.S. shows that could face editing or removal include "Shameless," "Two Broke Girls," "Stalker" and "American Horror Story," the Hollywood Reporter said. "The Big Bang Theory" has already been removed from the sites, without explanation.

Chinese President Xi Jinping's campaign to remove access to objectionable viewing material compelled SAPPRFT to issue guidelines in September, forbidding a number of situations the agency regards as morally objectionable, including extramarital affairs, rape scenes and prostitution.

The new rules compel foreign producers to present a year of programs at a time for review, and means Chinese censors will be involved in what is available to Chinese viewers a year in advance. The rights fees paid by the booming Chinese market has been a major source of revenue, in recent years, to foreign producers.