China's economic hub, Shanghai, on Tuesday opened its first TV
channel that broadcasts in foreign languages.
International Channel Shanghai (ICS) is the first
foreign-language TV channel in China that is not operated by China
Central Television (CCTV), the state TV system. ICS will broadcast
in English and Japanese, with Chinese captions. The organization
didn't say whether other languages would be added.
The channel, run by the Shanghai Media Group (SMG), will serve
the 2010 World Expo, to be held in Shanghai, to showcase the city's
open image and serve visitors, said Jiao Yang, the city government
spokeswoman. It will also benefit foreign nationals living and
working here, she said.
The metropolis has 150,000 foreign residents and gets 6 million
foreign tourist arrivals every year.
During the World Expo in 2010, visitors are expected to top 70
million, although that figure will also include domestic
tourists.
The ICS programs, covering news, information, fashion,
entertainment, foreign TV shows and movies, will be aired for 19
hours a day.
About 4.4 million Internet subscribers in the city can also
watch the programs on their computers through Internet Protocol
Television.
CCTV now operates channels in English, French and Spanish across
the country.
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(CRI January 2, 2007)