China makes watching TV cheaper and easier

Many people have experienced the frustrating moment when, as they turn on their TV sets, they have to wait for the advertisements to finish before they can navigate through complicated menus and finally are able to settle down on the couch and enjoy their favorite shows.

In China, this practice is now coming to an end. According to the National Radio and Television Administration, the country's top sector regulator, those annoying adverts that pop up when you turn on a cable TV set or an internet protocol television (aka IPTV) device, have been canceled.

During a news conference on Jan 23, the administration and a number of associated authorities announced that a four-month nationwide project to curb fee stacking and simplify navigation for television services has achieved fruitful results.