Hunan Television
| Company type | State-owned |
|---|---|
| Industry | Broadcasting |
| Founded | September 29, 1970 |
| Headquarters | Changsha , China |
Area served | China, Macau, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, India, Nepal, South Korea, Southeast Asia, Tajikistan, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, Fiji, Australia, selected areas in Africa, the Americas, and Europe |
| Owner | Hunan Broadcasting System |
Hunan Television or Hunan TV () is a provincial satellite broadcaster owned by the state, inaugurated on September 29, 1970. It ranks as the second most popular TV channel in China, trailing only China Central Television's CCTV-1, although it has occasionally overtaken CCTV-1 in audience ratings.
Under the ownership of Hunan Broadcasting System, Hunan TV's broadcast reaches a vast majority of China, including regions such as Macau, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Internationally, it is transmitted as Hunan STV World in countries like Japan, India, Nepal, South Korea, Southeast Asia, Tajikistan, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, Fiji, Australia, along with selected areas in Africa, the Americas, and Europe. Since September 28, 2009, the channel has been available in high-definition format. Its emblem has led to the affectionate moniker "Mango TV."
History
On December 15, 2006, Hunan TV collaborated with the BBC to broadcast “Just the Two of Us,” marking the inaugural global entertainment partnership between Chinese television and the BBC.
Hunan TV World debuted in Hong Kong on May 20, 2009, becoming the first officially authorized international channel. The well-known sales show "Shoot, Brother!" was hosted by Aria Jin.
In response to regulatory changes introduced by the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television in 2015, Hunan TV modified its prime-time lineup by reducing nightly episodes from three to two and moving the start time from 19:30 to 20:00. It remains one of only two Chinese channels airing drama series at 22:00.
Reception
By 2013, Hunan Satellite Television had amassed an audience exceeding one billion viewers within China, with 358 million expressing favorable opinions about its content. The channel enjoyed an average daily viewership around 210 million people, while its digital platform recorded 730 million views.
In 2017, the Hunan Provincial Committee of the Chinese Communist Party publicly criticized Hunan TV for emphasizing ratings over fulfilling its responsibilities as a Party communication tool. The committee alleged that the channel promoted "gay entertainment," featured female guests dressed provocatively, endorsed counterfeit merchandise through advertisements, and engaged in exchanging social privileges for financial benefits.
Notable programs
- Happy Camp
- Super Girl
- Super Boy
- Where Are We Going, Dad?
- I Am a Singer
- Super-Vocal
- Day Day Up
- Come Sing with Me
- 72 Floors of Mystery
- Chinese Restaurant
- Takes a Real Man
- Back to Field