III. Licensing of TV Series Production Entities

1．TV series production entities include: (1) entities holding the Radio and TV Program Production and Business Operation License; (2) television stations at or above the prefecture level (including radio and television stations, radio, film and television groups); (3) film production entities holding the Film Production License (Film Industry Promotion Law has cancelled the approval of Film Production License). But the above three entities shall obtain TV series production permit in advance for TV series production.

2．There are two types of TV series production permits, namely Permit for Production of TV Series (Category A) and Permit for Production of TV Series (Category B).

(1) Permit for Production of TV Series (Category B)

①It is only for the TV series indicated in the permit, and the validity period shall not exceed 180 days, which in special cases, can be appropriately extended after approval by the issuing authority;

②Category B permit implements one-play, one-report system, which will be automatically abolished after the TV series is broadcast. Producing new TV series in the future will have to go through the licensing process again. Permit for Production of TV Series (Category B) is issued by the radio and television administrative department at or above the provincial level. Among them, the central unit and its direct agencies in Beijing shall apply directly to the State Administration of Radio and Television for approval; other entities applying for the permit shall submit the application to the local radio and television administrative department and after gradual review, the application will be reported to the provincial radio and television administrative department for approval.

③To apply for a Permit for Production of TV Series (Category B), the applicant must submit the following application materials: a. application report; b. application registration form for Permit for Production of TV Series (Category B); c. a copy of the approval document for the subject matter planning issued by the State Administration of Radio and Television; d. authorization letter issued by a screenwriter; e. a copy of the contract or letter of intent signed by the applicant entity with the creators and cooperation entities (investment entities) such as producers, directors, cameramen, main actors, among which, if hiring overseas main creators to participate in the production, a copy of the approval document issued by the State Administration of Radio and Television shall be provided; f. Radio and TV Program Production and Business Operation License (copy) or the corresponding qualification certificate of the TV station and film production entity; g. certificate of implementation of production funds issued by the license holder.

(2) Permit for Production of TV Series (Category A)

①The validity period of the Permit for Production of TV Series (Category A) is 2 years. Until the expiration of the validity period, it is valid for all TV series produced by the licensee.

②If a TV series production entity has produced 6 or more single plays or 3 or more dramas (3 episodes or more) within 2 consecutive years, it may apply to the State Administration of Radio and Television for the Permit for Production of TV Series (Category A). After the expiry of the validity period, the license holder may apply for extension.

③To apply for a Permit for Production of TV Series (Category A), the applicant must submit the following application materials: a. application report; b. application registration form for Permit for Production of TV Series (Category A); c. Permits for Production of TV Series (Category B) (copy) issued in the last 2 years; d. a catalogue of TV series produced in the past 2 years with Permit for Production of TV Series (Category B) and the corresponding TV Series Distribution License (copy).