TV channels to air more domestic documentaries

All the 34 provincial satellite TV comprehensive channels in China are required to broadcast at least half an hour, on average, of domestic documentary films every day starting next year.

Gao Changli, an official from the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television, revealed measures to support the Chinese documentary film industry during the ongoing 2013 Guangzhou International Documentary Film Festival, according to the organizer.

Air time next year for domestic documentaries will reach more than 6,000 hours, doubling the present broadcasting time, Gao said.

Eight categories of public-welfare programs, including documentary films, should make up 30 percent of air time on TV channels next year, Gao said, adding his administration will work to increase funding for the documentary film industry.

In the meantime, non-governmental parties will be encouraged to sell domestic documentary films to overseas markets.