CCTV tapping US talent pool for 2015 Lunar New Year Gala

China Central Television is looking west for its next pool of amateur entertainers to perform in the 2015 Chinese New Year's Gala on July 17, 2014. [Photo/cntv.cn]

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Writing their own tickets

China Central Television is looking west for its next pool of amateur entertainers to perform in the 2015 Chinese New Year's Gala.

"I Want to Perform in China's New Year Gala," the not-so-subtle name of the state-broadcaster's talent show for the event, is holding open auditions in the United States.

Try-outs will be hosted in New York, Washington, D.C., Houston, Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco, according to CCTV's notification for the "talent hunt."

Although the gala has enjoyed staggering ratings since the first event was held in 1983, it has been criticized in recent years for not showcasing enough relevant content to net in China's changing demographic, especially the country's youth.

The gala's producer, Wei Dangsheng, told the Wall Street Journal that he is looking for acts that might not emerge from the Chinese mainland.

Performing in China for a televised event that nets over 700 million viewers on average offers prospective US performers a "big opportunity" to access "a huge market."

Those looking to strut their stuff in China's biggest TV event need to submit their applications by Monday.