A popular online show about a young Chinese couple's trips to the far corners of the world is set to be broadcast on the country's main television network, highlighting how popular online content is influencing China's highly regulated mainstream media.
"On the Road," by the Youku site's entertainment unit, is to air during a prime-time evening slot next month on state broadcaster China Central Television's flagship channel, CCTV-1.
The surging popularity of online content, particularly among 20-somethings who consume entertainment on their mobiles and tablets, is luring viewers away from state TV, which the Chinese government sees as a tool to mold public opinion. Privately owned video sites are seeing advertising revenue grow as well as the number of people who are paying to watch premium content, even if this number is still relatively small.
The first season of "On the Road," which saw the More