A popular online video website is bringing America’s beloved sketch comedy show “Saturday Night Live” to China.
Sohu Video, a unit of Chinese online media group and Nasdaq-listed Sohu.com Inc., has already provided 10 episodes from this season that are available in China now, and future episodes will be available online the Monday after airing in the United States, Sohu said in its announcement Thursday, according to the Associated Press.
Sohu chairman and CEO Charles Zhang said he doesn’t expect the show’s edginess will be a problem in China, which routinely censors political criticism of the government and bans cable operators from carrying foreign channels.
“Things that are controversial in America are probably not controversial in China,” he said. “And this talk show is in the spirit of fun and humor. I don’t think there will be any problem.”
Zhang said U.S. TV shows have been successful at generating advertising revenue online in China, AP reported. He didn’t give a figure for how much Sohu paid for rights to “Saturday Night Live” within China.
• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.
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