The Chongqing government is to pay 150 million yuan (US$22.8 million)?to Chongqing TV (CQTV) in return for not broadcasting commercial advertisements, Chongqing mayor Huang Qifan said March 4, according to the Beijing Morning News.

He said the decision to stop broadcasting ads on CQTV had been made by the Chongqing Party Committee. Ads will still be allowed on the other 11 channels run by the Chongqing Broadcasting and Television Group.

An official with Chongqing Broadcasting Group, the channel's parent company said it will also introduce more programs on news, culture and public services while reducing time given to TV series and outsourced programs, with the aim of providing public TV services and transmitting advanced culture to citizens.

The new programs will cover themes of books, role models from all fields in Chongqing, and a revolution song singing competition.