China Central Television

China Central Television, often called CCTV, is the main television broadcaster for the People's Republic of China. It started in 1958 as Peking Television and was renamed CCTV in 1978. Today, it is a very important part of state media in China.

CCTV is run by the China Media Group and watched over by the National Radio and Television Administration. It is also guided by the Publicity Department of the Chinese Communist Party. This helps make sure its shows follow the rules set by the government.

Some groups, like Freedom House and The Guardian, have said that CCTV sometimes changes its news to match what the Chinese government wants, especially when talking about sensitive subjects. This makes CCTV a strong voice for the Chinese Communist Party.

History

In 1954, a leader in China suggested that the country should start its own TV station. On May 1, 1958, the first TV station in China began, called Peking Television, and it started showing shows on September 2 of that same year.

In 1978, the station was renamed China Central Television (CCTV) on May 1. For many years, CCTV only showed programs in the evenings. In 1980, CCTV began trying out news programs from different places in China. By 1985, CCTV had become a major TV network in China. In 2018, CCTV became part of a new group called the China Media Group.

Overseas broadcasting

Further information: China Global Television Network

In 1990, CCTV created a company in California to share its shows in the United States. In 2000, CCTV started an English channel called CCTV-9, which showed news around the clock. Later, CCTV created channels for different time zones to better serve viewers worldwide. In 2009, CCTV also started an Arabic-language channel to connect with Arab countries. In 2016, CCTV’s international services became part of the China Global Television Network (CGTN).

China Network Television

Main article: China Network Television

China Network Television (CNTV) was an online TV service from CCTV that started on December 28, 2009.

Organization

China Central Television (CCTV) is a big part of the China Media Group. It is watched over by the National Radio and Television Administration, which is connected to an important group in China’s government. CCTV is one of the three main news and media groups in China, together with the People's Daily and the Xinhua News Agency.

The leader of CCTV is Shen Haixiong. He started this job in February 2018 and also has another important role in China’s government.

Programs

CCTV creates its own news broadcasts three times a day. Its evening news, called Xinwen Lianbo ("CCTV Network News" or "CCTV Tonight"), airs every day at 7:00 pm in Beijing. All local stations must show this news program. Many people in the country watch it regularly.

CCTV also produces special shows, like the Focus Report, which started in 1994. This show looks at important issues and problems. The CCTV New Year's Gala is a big special show for Chinese New Year that many people watch.

In 2003, CCTV began a 24-hour news channel for cable viewers.

Channels

Main article: List of China Media Group channels

Audience share

By 2007, China's television audience had grown to 1.2 billion people. With more choices available, some people watch cable, satellite, or local stations instead of CCTV. Still, the CCTV New Year's Gala remains very popular, watched by most of the country.

Personalities

CCTV has many hosts, news anchors, and reporters who appear on its shows, including:

• Ai Hua
• Bai Yansong
• Bao Xiaofeng
• Daniela Anahí Bessia
• Bi Fujian
• Chai Jing
• Chai Lu
• Chen Yin
• Dashan
• Dong Hao
• Dong Qing
• Marc Edwards
• Gao Bo
• Gang Qiang
• Guo Zhijian
• Hai Xia
• He Jing
• Jing Yidan
• Ju Ping
• Vimbayi Kajese
• Kang Hui
• Michele Lean
• Li Ruiying
• Li Sisi
• Li Xiaomeng
• Li Yong
• Li Zimeng
• Liu Chunyan
• Lu Jian
• Edwin Maher
• Ouyang Xiadan
• Negmat Rahman
• Ren Luyu
• Rui Chenggang
• Sa Beining
• Wang Ning
• Wang Xiaoya
• Wang Zhi'an
• Zhang Hongmin
• Zhang Mengmeng
• Zhang Tengyue
• Zhou Tao
• Zhu Jun
• Zhu Xun

Reception

The top leaders of the network and local television stations are chosen by the government. Because of this, the news and history channels have often been accused of sharing only messages that support the government's views. Some people have said these messages are meant to strongly influence what people think.

Workers for the network's English channel sometimes feel pressure to always show China in a good light. Because of political rules, staff members often feel less confident and creative in their work. Some experts believe that many creators at the network struggle with doubts and uncertainty because of the mix of business and political pressures.

In 2020, the United States said that CCTV must share more details about what it does in the U.S.

Incidents

Since it began, CCTV has been used to support government policies. This has sometimes led to unfair treatment of groups the government opposes.

In 1999, during actions against a group called Falun Gong, CCTV showed many episodes that spoke badly of its members. In 2001, they wrongly said that people who set themselves on fire in a public place were part of Falun Gong.

In January 2011, a news program showed a clip from an old American movie to make it seem like a real fight happening in China.

CCTV has also shown people saying sorry on TV before they were formally tried by a court. This has happened to many people, including foreign activists.

In February 2009, a building linked to a television station caught fire during celebrations. One firefighter died in the fire.

During a conflict in Libya in 2011, CCTV's reports often supported one side and sometimes used pictures that were not from the actual event.

In 2019, CCTV stopped showing games from a sports league because a person in charge made a statement supporting protests in another country.

During events in 2022, CCTV did not show some things that happened, like people not wearing masks during a big sports event.

In 2023, CCTV shared messages on social media about a nuclear power plant, which some people said was not true.

During military exercises near a nearby island in 2025, CCTV shared videos that made it seem like they were very close to a tall building in the island's main city. The island's government said this was part of efforts to influence people's thoughts.