In late November, many found their entertainment lifeline cut off as authorities shut down two of the country’s most popular file-sharing sitesone with countless episodes of U.S. TV series, and the other with meticulously translated Chinese subtitles for those shows.
State media called the sites known copyright infringers. The sites themselves claimed to be free platforms for people who want to learn about American language and culture — not money-making ventures.
Worse still, fans quickly realized their only viable alternative — China’s legitimate video streaming sites — may soon fall victim to the censors’ tightening grip.
Fleeting optimism
Almost no current U.S. TV series air on China’s broadcast and cable networks.
In February, viewers and critics hailed the release of hit political thriller “House of Cards” on video site Sohu at the same time it aired on Netflix in the U.S. as a sign of liberalization in China’s strictly-controlled media market.
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Fans of American TV are not so sure.
For now, many try to explore technical workarounds to new government restrictions and insist that, no matter what happens, they won’t watch domestic shows known for their over-the-top propaganda and low production values.
“If they totally shut the door to American TV, it would be tragic,” said Wu, the corporate publicist who equates her desire for U.S. shows to that for caffeine.
“It would be just tragic if you couldn’t even choose your own entertainment.”
READ: Beijing is making it harder for Chinese to watch American TV shows