Watching TV is one of the pleasures of life that most of us tend to take for granted. That is, until we suddenly find ourselves without it. For expats living in China who have yet to master the intricacies of the local language, the vast majority of TV shows are almost completely incomprehensible. The sole English-language channel CCTV News (formerly CCTV 9) may be a welcome relief at first, but the dry and repetitive programming is satisfying for only so long. Aspiring TV-watchers in China therefore need to get creative. Luckily, there are quite a few resources for English-language television available, though not always readily apparent.  Whether on the airwaves or online, the following channels and shows can keep English-speakers entertained in their native tongue, and even teach them a little something about the once-foreign place they now call home.

1) Xiwang Yingyu

Flipping through CCTV’s overwhelmingly Chinese program listings, one show in particular might seem to offer a glimmer of hope. In fact, its name Xiwang Yingyu translates as “Hope English,” presumably reflecting the mind-set of its target audience of young Chinese students.  But despite its name and premise, most episodes are disappointingly almost entirely in Chinese, with the exception of a small handful of English vocabulary words and phrases sprinkled throughout. Xiwang Yingyu, however, presents an entirely different face when its regular format is replaced by the periodic English contest specials; most recently the multi-episode “Stars of Hope” this past August. Here, students from across China take to the stage in a familiarly glitzy variety show format, showing off their English-language talents before a panel of judges. Performances range from singing popular English songs to debating social issues in astonishingly complex and fluid back-and-forth.  While the majority of Xiwang Yingyu’s shows have little to recommend, the contests are definitely worth a look. Xiwang Yingyu is a half hour-long program, and can be found on CCTV 10 (the education channel), with a new episode shown at 12:05 every day except Sunday.

2) CNC World

The China Xinhua News Network Corporation, to give its full name, was launched with great fanfare in 2010, with an exclusively English-language network coming on the air in July of that year.  Many observers saw the creation of CNC World as China’s answer to international news networks such as CNN and Al Jazeera, and accordingly, CNC World has much the same style and content as these and other similar channels. The majority of CNC World’s programs are news reporting and analysis, along with some culture and human interest segments. The main focus is international, rather than China-specific, and so a feature on tourism is more likely to showcase the Italian Riviera than the Three Gorges. The network’s Chinese character shines through in the choice of stories and the way in which they are presented. Chinese experts and academics are interviewed to give their analysis of events, and presenters’ “off the cuff” remarks reflect an editorial line very different from those found in Western newsrooms. Whether CNC will hold its own in the international market has been questioned by numerous analysts, and the network’s occasional low-budget editing and awkward English syntax are evidence that it is still a work in progress. But for international programming from a Chinese perspective, CNC World delivers as promised.

3) China Radio International (CRI)

While the majority of programming offered by China Radio International is – not surprisingly – audio, the station’s website also contains a large amount of regularly-updated video content. Topics include introductions to different aspects of Chinese history and culture, profiles of tourist destinations across the country (with a particular focus on Beijing), and a large helping of “news of the weird.” Most of CRI’s videos are brief, stand-alone segments, though the site does offer one regular, long-running series called “Reel China,” which focuses on Chinese movies and movie stars. While most CRI videos tend to clock in at a little under five minutes, each episode of Reel China typically lasts about fifteen minutes. This brief running time for each video would likely make CRI less suitable for someone looking to sit back and unwind in front of their computer. And some viewers might be turned off by the sizeable amount of political content on offer. Recent segments such as a history of the CCP and a biography of the late diplomat Huang Hua might be a bit too dry for most tastes. 

4) Blue Ocean Network (BON)

For viewers who have grown a bit tired of the official government line, there’s Blue Ocean Network, an English-language channel that prides itself on being the first private-owned TV network in China. But while operating out of Beijing, Blue Ocean’s programming is aimed at an international audience outside China’s borders, and expats within the PRC would be hard-pressed to find it on any local TV listings. Luckily, as with CCTV and CRI, all of Blue Ocean’s shows are available for viewing online. Ranging from brief ten-minute segments to full half hour-long programs, BON’s videos provide a surprisingly varied selection of content in the form of regularly-updated series. The news programs that make up the backbone of the network provide not only the typical review and analysis of the day’s top stories, but also offer a glimpse at how the news plays out in Chinese daily life. Microblog Buzz showcases a sampling of Chinese netizens’ views on current issues, while Media Watch reviews major stories making headlines in print and TV news sources across China. BON also offers a number of travel and culture-related shows, providing helpful tips and background on destinations across the country, and introductions to a variety of traditional arts and customs. Many of the network’s hosts and presenters are China expats themselves, and while they may lack the polish of seasoned news anchors, they provide a colourful and personal touch that’s a welcome relief from CCTV’s monotone narrators.

While the selection of English-language TV programming available in China may not be the most extensive, there is still a great deal of variety to be found. For viewers looking to be informed or just entertained, there are plenty of options to fit any taste or style.

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