Fans and critics hailed the February<a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2014%2F02%2F19%2Fworld%2Fasia%2Fchina-house-of-cards-jiang%2F"> release of political thriller "House of Cards" </a> on video site Sohu as a sign of change in China's strictly controlled media market. Many binge-watched all 13 episodes of the second season, which appeared uncensored despite unflattering story lines about China's ruling Communist elite.
House of Cards —
Fans and critics hailed the February release of political thriller "House of Cards" on video site Sohu as a sign of change in China's strictly controlled media market. Many binge-watched all 13 episodes of the second season, which appeared uncensored despite unflattering story lines about China's ruling Communist elite.
Netflix
But the optimism was short lived. <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmoney.cnn.com%2F2014%2F04%2F29%2Ftechnology%2Fchina-streaming-tv%2F">In April, </a>without warning, the government banned four American TV series, including the extremely popular sitcom "The Big Bang Theory" even though the shows had been allowed to stream online for several seasons.
The Big Bang Theory —
But the optimism was short lived. In April, without warning, the government banned four American TV series, including the extremely popular sitcom "The Big Bang Theory" even though the shows had been allowed to stream online for several seasons.
CBS
"The Good Wife," a legal drama starring Juliana Margulies, was also taken offline, as were "NCIS" and "The Practice." No reason was given.
The Good Wife —
"The Good Wife," a legal drama starring Juliana Margulies, was also taken offline, as were "NCIS" and "The Practice." No reason was given.
CBS
Fans of U.S. shows are bracing for more disappointment. From April next year, regulators say they will only approve "healthy" content to be streamed online, a troubling prospect for followers of such shows as zombie horror drama "The Walking Dead."
The Walking Dead —
Fans of U.S. shows are bracing for more disappointment. From April next year, regulators say they will only approve "healthy" content to be streamed online, a troubling prospect for followers of such shows as zombie horror drama "The Walking Dead."
AMC
Shows that manage to get into China are often heavily censored. "Madam Secretary," a new political drama is widely streamed online in China but nowhere to be found is its fourth episode. It featured some taboo subjects: the Tiananmen crackdown, one-child policy, and a territorial dispute between China and Japan.
Madame Secretary —
Shows that manage to get into China are often heavily censored. "Madam Secretary," a new political drama is widely streamed online in China but nowhere to be found is its fourth episode. It featured some taboo subjects: the Tiananmen crackdown, one-child policy, and a territorial dispute between China and Japan.
CBS