Shanghai TV Festival: The increasing popularity of internet productions

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The annual Shanghai TV Festival kicks off today with a forum focusing on the latest changes in China's television industry. One of the liveliest of barbs - the flourishing of internet productions. CGTN's Xu Mengqi has more.

The annual Shanghai TV Festival, now in its 25th year, once again opens to the public. This time at the opening forum, industry professionals agreed on a new trend that underscores recent TV development in China: the ongoing success of internet applications.

XU MENGQI SHANGHAI "One case in point: TV shows. Say you've just decided to watch a drama. And you go on to any of China's online streaming platforms: There are a myriad of options to choose from, not only those broadcast on TV, but also some tailored for the web."

By allowing audiences to leave real-time comments on the screen, digital platforms offer an essentially more interactive viewing experience. Which, in turn, is impacting production crews.

LI XIAOJIANG DIRECTOR "Previously when I was producing for TV stations I only saw and heard audience feedback in later reports. Not like this face-to-face feeling now. It helps us to reflect more."

The internet productions, generally meet the audience faster, too.

LI XIAOJIANG DIRECTOR "Take my last drama, we had just finished post-production at the end of last month, and probably it will be released in a month or two. We could have never imagined this speed before."

The faster turnover rate is definitely a big draw for investors. But TV professionals also have their concerns over the eruptive growth of new media.

ZHAO YIFANG, FOUNDER & CEO HUACE GROUP "Because internet productions are still at an underdeveloped stage, there are all kinds of programs. Some value speed over quality."

The challenge, experts say, is to improve the content quality of internet productions while preserving originality. XMQ, CGTN, Shanghai.