BEIJING - Imported TV series will be barred from airing during prime time on the mainland, according to an announcement from the top broadcasting regulator on Monday.
广电总局2月13日发表通知要求，境外影视剧将在黄金时段遭禁播。
These series should run for no longer than 50 episodes, according to the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT).
广电总局还要求，引进境外影视剧的长度原则上控制在50集以内。
The aim is to improve the quality of imported TV programs and to enrich the content of shows available in high definition, so high-definition imported TV shows are preferred.
该通知要求目的是为了提高引进电视节目质量，丰富高清节目的内容，因此应优先引进高清的境外影视剧。
Under the new directive, a channel cannot broadcast imported TV series during prime time - 7:30 pm to 10 pm - and the total running time of imported shows should not exceed 25 percent of the time allocated to TV series that day.
根据的通知指示，各电视频道不得在黄金时段（19：00-22：00）播出境外影视剧，各电视频道每天播出的境外影视剧，也不得超过该频道当天影视剧总播出时间的25%。
Once a channel imports a TV series, it should be first aired on the channel before it can be resold to other channels, according to SARFT.
广电总局要求，获得总局批准引进的境外影视剧必须在本台首播，首播之后才可以再次发行在其他电视频道播出。
Channels are forbidden from broadcasting unapproved TV shows produced by companies outside the Chinese mainland in the form of shorts and introductory clips.
对于未经广电总局审批并获得发行许可证的境外影视剧，各电视频道不得以栏目短剧或介绍境外影视剧的形式变相完整播出。
According to the statement, the SARFT has asked provincial stations to supervise the content of TV programs made by companies outside the mainland. TV series that contain vulgar and violent scenes should not be imported.
根据要求，广电总局要求省级监管引进的境外剧和节目的内容，包含粗俗和暴力镜头的电视节目将不予引进。
The statement also said channels should not intensively broadcast TV series from a certain country or a certain region during the same period.
通知还要求各家电视频道不得在一段时期内集中播出某一国家或地区的境外影视剧。
Severe punishments will be handed out for stations that are found to have violated the rules.
如发现某电视台有违规情况，将加大处罚力度。
