IV.Record-Filing of Internet Audio-Visual Programs
According to relevant Chinese legal requirements, the information about Internet audio-visual programs, such as online dramas and micro-films shall be filed to the corresponding administrative department of radio and television for record-filing.At present, the Internet audio-visual programs are divided into key online film and television series (including online dramas, online movies, online cartoons) and other general Internet audio-visual programs when going through the record-filing procedures.
The Notice of the General Office of the State Administration of Radio and Television on the Upgrade of the Internet Audio-Visual Programs Record-Filing System (No.158 [2018] of the General Office of the State Administration of Radio and Television) issued by the State Administration of Radio and Television, which took effect on December 27, 2018 newly added “Key Online Film and Drama Information Record-filing System” and adjusted the information record-filing method.The record-filing work of other original Internet audio-visual programs other than key online film and dramas will still be performed in accordance with the original procedures and management requirements.
4.1 Key Online Films and Dramas
4.1.1 Key online films and dramas include online dramas (online cartoons) with a total investment of more than RMB 5,000,000 yuan, and online films with an investment of more than RMB 1,000,000 yuan.
4.1.2 Requirements of record-filing.There are two types of record-filing required for key online film and dramas, including planning record-filing and online record-filing.The key online dramas, online films, and online cartoons that have obtained online record-filing numbers can be played and promoted on the homepage of each audio-visual program website (user-end), or used for investment promotion, membership recommendation, online recommendation, program recommendation, etc.of the audio-visual program website.(https://www.daowen.com)
4.1.3 Record-Filing procedures.According to the Notice of the General Office of the State Administration of Radio and Television on the Upgrade of the Internet Audio-Visual Programs Record-Filing System, from February 15,2019, before the production of key online films and dramas (including online dramas, online films, and online cartoons), production organizations shall log into the “Key Online Film and Television Play Information Record-Filing System” to register program’s name, the type of theme,content summary, production budget and other planning information.The program planning information which has been reviewed by the administrative department of radio and television automatically shall obtain the planning record-filing number generated by the record-filing system.After the filming and production is completed, the production organization should register the relevant information of the program’s intended broadcasting platform, actual investment, and actor’s film remuneration in the record-filing system.At the same time, the finished program should be submitted to the local provincial administrative department of radio and television.The radio and television program production and operation entity directly under the Central Government shall report the program to the State Administration of Radio and Television.The programs that have been checked by the administrative department of radio and television shall automatically obtain the online record-filing number generated by the record-filing system.
According to the reports from China’s mainstream media (including CCTV), the State Administration of Radio and Television adjusted the record-filing and application procedures of key online films and dramas plans on February 14, 2020.When filling in the system, in addition to submitting the Record-Filing Form for Planning Information of Key Original Online Films and Dramas, it is also required to submit a Letter of Commitment for Completing the Script Creation.Besides, it is reported that the provincial administrative department in each region will conduct a script review of the submitted projects every month.In other words, only after the online films and online dramas are completed can they be submitted for planning record-filing.
4.2 Other Internet Audio-Visual Programs
4.2.1 According to China’s relevant policies, original Internet audio-visual programs are the programs other than key online films and dramas.
4.2.2 Requirements and Procedures of Record-Filing.The State Administration of Radio and Television organized the construction of the“Record-Filing System for Internet Audio-Visual Programs, such as online Dramas and Micro-Movies”.The record-filing shall be accomplished by the Internet audiovisual program service entity in the system.According to the regulations of the Notice on Further Strengthening the Management of Internet Audio-Visual Programs such as online Dramas and Micro-Movies (No.53 [2012] of the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television) issued by the former State Administration of Radio, Film and Television and the National Internet Information Office, which took effect on July 6, 2012, and Supplementary Notice on Further Improving the Management of Internet Audio-Visual Programs such as Online Dramas and Micro-Movies (No.2 [2014] of the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television) issued by the former State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television, which took effect on January 2, 2014, for the Internet audio-visual programs such as online dramas and micro-movies which are reviewed and broadcast by Internet audio-visual program service entities, the entities shall complete the program information record-filing and mark the record-filing number before broadcasting the above-mentioned programs online, and programs that have not been filed as required or without the record-filing number marked shall not be broadcast online.