China’s first television station, China Central Television, originally called Peking Television, launched a pilot service on May 1, 1958, and its regular broadcast on September2, 1958. In 1973, it began to transmit color programs using the PAL-D system. It adopted its current name in 1978. CCTV currently transmits an accumulation over 200 hours of programs daily. CCTV’s website iswww.cctv.com

In addition to CCTV, all provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities have their own television stations. By the end of 2000, there were 651 television stations and 1,272 radio/television stations at county level throughout China. The television programs can be received by some 93.4% of the country’s population.

Cable television has developed at an overwhelming speed in recent years. By the end of 2000, there were 80million cable subscribers nationwide.

CCTV’s Daily Broadcasting Schedule(Channel, Program Content, On-air Time):
CCTV-1: News, comprehensive, 20 hours.
CCTV-2: Economic and financial information, life style and service programs, 20 hours.
CCTV-3: Music, songs and dances, 19 hours.
CCTV-4: Worldwide, 24 hours.
CCTV-5: Sports, 16 hours.
CCTV-6: Movies, 17 hours.
CCTV-7: Children’s military and agricultural programs, 17 hours.
CCTV-8: Television dramas, 17 hours.
CCTV-9: English, 24 hours.
CCTV-10: Science and education, 18 hours.
CCTV-11: Traditional Chinese opera and music, 18 hours.