The Magnolia Awards in the 26th Shanghai TV Festival will be announced this Friday. Chinese jury members met media on Wednesday, sharing their thoughts over the industry under the pandemic and the future of TV production in the digital era.

This year, the Magnolia Awards made a significant change as it is accepting TV dramas screened on television stations and digital video platforms into the competition.

"This makes judgement harder than before," Chinese director Zheng Xiaolong, the head of jury said in the press conference. "Productions for different platforms present different advantages and disadvantages, so we need to more considerate and balanced."

Four dramas made by Internet companies were nominated in the category of Best TV Series in China, including "The Longest Day in Chang'an" and the "Winter Begonia."

"I hope one day broadcasting platforms are not a factor to be mentioned anymore. We only categorize them as long or short dramas," Shen Yan, a member of the jury group said. "The development of dramas shown on digital platforms is not a surprising thing, as the technology is pushing forward the process.”

The jury consists of Chinese and international judges, but only judges now in Shanghai were able to be present in person this year, while overseas jury members joined the process through video link, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

After the press conference, Chinese actor He Bing also talked to CGTN, sharing his thoughts as a judge in the Magnolia Awards.

"There isn't absolute objectiveness in judging," He Bing said. "A person's life experience, education background, and individual preference may more or less affect the judgement."

When it comes to the COVID-19 pandemic, he said, "We've figured out a way to cope with the social distancing rule. I seized the chance to read more and watch more."

"Taking a break is not always a bad thing for us," he said.

Talking about new opportunities in the digital video platforms, He Bing said he is glad to see the integrating process of television content and new media, which inevitably is the future direction of China's television industry.