SHANGHAI: Television reality shows are losing their audience appeal in China, according to market research.

Results of a study were made known last week at the Magnolia Forum at the 13th Shanghai TV Festival.

It showed news, TV plays and grand entertainment shows, were the most popular.

Shanghai Evening News quoted CSM, a company engaged in media research and TV audience measurement, as saying "last year reality TV shows were the highest rated programs, but have now lost their dominant position".

The shows were criticized for their lack of originality - Hunan TV's Super Girl and Super Boy were largely clones of American Idol.

The over-the-top promotion of the shows ruined audience's appetite, and the actors were also criticized for lack of talent, Shanghai Evening Post said.

Industry professionals are aware of the criticism, and have been looking for new ways to entertain audiences.

Dragon TV, a member of Shanghai Media Group (SMG), launched My Hero last year, a contest in search of new talent. Winners of the contest were used in a series called The Frog Prince. But the series was criticized for poor acting, a weak plot, and being a take off of foreign shows.

The research showed news programs remained the most popular last year, generating advertising revenue of 53.7 billion yuan ($7.07 billion).

People watch the news for an average of 23 minutes a day. But the study warned against sensationalism.

CSM manager Wang Lanzhu said TV producers also sometimes underestimate the audience, thinking that copying other shows adds to appeal.

"Many popular shows are copied, boring audiences by their repetition," he said.

(China Daily 06/19/2007 page5)