China Media Monitor Headlines Archives

Publishing giant Beijing Fongkong Media has raised RMB100 million (US$15.44 million) recently, one of the preliminary steps for the company to launch an IPO. Fongkong is the first joint venture established by state owned and private publishing companies. CEO Zhang Xiaobo said they will extend to other cultural sectors including film production to complete the industry chain. Fongkong aims to become a comprehensive cultural group.

Chinese film Legend of A Rabbit (Tu Xia Chuanqi) produced by Tianjin Beifang Film Group and Beijing Film Academy has been distributed to more than 60 countries and regions, creating a new record for Chinese films. The countries include USA, Canada, Australia and Britain. 20 of them will show the film simultaneously with China around July. Some North America and Australia distributors said they will invite stars to dub the film to attract more audiences.

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides has made RMB300 million (US$46.32 million) at box office in 12 days since opening on May 20. This makes it the best selling Disney title in China and makes China the second largest overseas market for this movie following Russia. The film is being shown in standard, 3D and IMAX formats in China.

Hollywood film Kungfu Panda 2 made RMB60 million (US$9.26 million) at the opening day box office on May 28, a record high in China’s film market, beating After Shock (Tangshan Da Dizhen). It also made more than RMB100 million (US$15.44 million) in the first weekend, the highest of all territories screening the film. The film is predicted to take more than RMMB600 million in final box office takings. The premiere around Children’s Day contributed to the good performance. Competition in China’s film market in May was quite fierce with Hollywood blockbusters like Fast Five, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides and Skyline. However, Kungfu Panda 2 was not so popular in other countries and was beaten by Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides and The Hangover 2 in North America.

Dragon TV's China's Got Talent is the leading talent show in China by audience ratings, surpassing previous talent show king Super Voice Girl and Happy Voice Boy (Chaoji Nvsheng) / Kuaile Nansheng launched by Hunan Satellite TV. The show is based on the format Dragon TV bought from Fremantle Media and the first season launched in July 2010. The second season launched recently and broadcast every Saturday night on Dragon TV. It looks for people with any kind of talent including singing, dancing and Kungfu.