The administration has found seven illegal online TV stations in Beijing alone, including www.ccnettv.com, www.cimn.tv, www.cntv.net.cn and www.vctv.cn, Beijing News reported today.

The stations have been ordered to suspend operations immediately, or the local telecom company will suspend Internet access service to the companies, according to a statement issued by the administration yesterday.

The statement said the illegal stations were run by private Internet companies.

They often us big names associated with official TV stations and media companies in China to lure and mislead Internet users, the statement said.

Many station operators have stationed branches and reporters in many other cities and promoted their programs in various media events.

"They even broadcast advertisements or information using the name of official TV stations, which has a negative impact on reputation of the genuine TV stations," the statement said.

A permit to broadcast audio and video programs via the Internet issued by the administration is required for all Internet TV station operators.