New Radio and Television Document No. 230 of 2017
News Publishing, Radio, Film, and Television Bureaus of all provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under the central government; the News Publishing, Radio, Film, and Television Bureau of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps; all units directly affiliated with the Administration; China Education Television:
In recent years, with advancements in TV production and broadcasting technologies and the growth of the TV terminal industry, several organizations have been approved to conduct pilot programs for 4K ultra-high-definition TV program production, broadcasting, and transmission. These initiatives have paved the way for meaningful exploration and practical efforts toward advancing ultra-HD TV development. However, challenges such as irregular management practices and substandard technical quality have also emerged. To ensure the healthy and orderly growth of 4K ultra-HD TV, the following notice is issued:
1. First, fully recognize the importance and complexity of developing 4K ultra-high-definition television, while remaining grounded in reality and strengthening policy guidance. Promoting 4K UHDTV is a key initiative for the press, publishing, broadcasting, and film sectors to implement the Central Committee’s innovation-driven development strategy and foster the integration of culture with technology. It plays a vital role in deepening structural reforms on the supply side of radio and television, meeting the public’s growing demand for superior viewing experiences, and ultimately boosting both the cultural industry and domestic manufacturing. At the same time, advancing 4K UHDTV represents another major technological leap and transformative upgrade for the broadcasting and media sector—yet it’s also a complex, large-scale systematic project involving numerous interconnected processes, spanning diverse fields, and wielding significant influence. Currently, China’s 4K UHDTV industry is still in its early stages, lacking a well-established industrial chain and ecosystem. Therefore, all organizations and departments must further enhance their understanding of both the critical importance and the considerable challenges associated with developing 4K UHDTV. They should closely align this effort with China’s unique national conditions and the realities of radio and television development, staying true to practical considerations, strengthening organizational leadership, refining policy support mechanisms, and steadily moving forward with cautious yet decisive progress.
2. Priority will be given to provinces and institutions that have made significant strides in high-definition television development to launch pilot 4K ultra-high-definition TV initiatives, adhering to a strategy of leading with pilots while steadily advancing. After several years of cultivation, China’s HD TV sector has already shown steady growth. However, there remains a considerable gap between current offerings and the growing demands of the public, underscoring the need for intensified promotional efforts. All regions and departments should carefully balance the development of HD and UHD TV, ensuring coordinated planning and implementation. Comprehensively advancing HD TV development serves as the solid foundation for scaling up 4K UHD TV initiatives. The Administration will prioritize supporting provinces and institutions already excelling in HD TV to kick off these 4K UHD TV pilot projects. Through these pilots, stakeholders can explore and refine best practices across key areas such as content creation, technological support, operational management, and policy safeguards—gathering valuable insights before gradually rolling out similar approaches nationwide.
3. Further strengthen the development of a 4K ultra-high-definition television technology standard system, ensuring unified standards and rigorous specifications to guarantee technical quality. To advance the growth of 4K UHDTV, it is essential to establish consistent, well-defined standards and accelerate the creation of a comprehensive, unified technical framework. Pilot 4K UHDTV units must strictly adhere to national and industry-specific technical standards, such as "Efficient Audio and Video Coding Part 1: Video" and "Program Production and Exchange Parameter Values for Ultra-High-Definition Television Systems." Additionally, 4K UHDTV receiving devices—including cable TV terminals, IPTV terminals, OTT devices, and integrated TV sets—should support the TVOS smart TV operating system, AVS2 standard decoding, as well as high dynamic range and 3D audio standards.
4. Continue to advance the development of 4K ultra-high-definition content, innovate content production, and enhance the effective supply of programs. It is essential to strengthen the capacity-building for 4K UHD TV program production, ensure proper guidance, promote high-quality content creation, and steadily improve both program production capabilities and content reserves—ultimately helping to establish new competitive advantages in 4K UHD audiovisual content production. In the early stages of development, production, broadcasting, and transmission organizations that are well-positioned are encouraged to explore 4K UHD TV initiatives first, following the unified deployment and guidelines set by the Administration. This could include focusing on genres such as sports events, documentaries, feature films, and cultural/tech-related programming. Additionally, cable TV networks are encouraged to launch 4K UHD TV video-on-demand services, while broadcasters with suitable infrastructure are invited to start experimenting with the establishment of dedicated UHD TV broadcasting systems. Once conditions are ripe, these entities can then timely apply to pilot 4K UHD TV channels.
5. Encourage innovative development models and focus on fostering integrated, collaborative growth across content production, broadcasting, transmission, and service delivery—ultimately nurturing new drivers of growth. As we advance 4K ultra-high-definition television, it’s crucial to deeply implement strategies such as media convergence, smart broadcasting, and broadband-enabled broadcasting. By leveraging the unique strengths of radio and television in areas like converged media content creation, efficient collaborative transmission, and intelligent terminal services, we can drive seamless, integrated development and strengthen our capacity for sustained growth. The Administration is actively promoting 4K UHD initiatives, encouraging innovation in development models while exploring cutting-edge approaches—including digital content copyright protection, smart collaborative services, and next-generation ultra-high-definition home cinema systems. Together, these efforts aim to create a vibrant new ecosystem for broadcast and film media under the advanced technological framework of 4K UHD, propelling continuous advancements and transformative upgrades in broadcasting and television technology.
6. Adhere to standardized development: Any pilot programs for 4K ultra-high-definition TV channels or video-on-demand services must be submitted for approval according to established procedures. As a new platform for public opinion and media outreach in radio and television, 4K UHD TV must prioritize disciplined growth, rigorously implement the ideological responsibility system, and uphold the correct political direction and guidance. 4K UHD TV should be integrated into the existing broadcasting and television regulatory framework to ensure both content and broadcast safety. Furthermore, strict approval processes must be followed—no organization is permitted to launch unauthorized 4K UHD TV channels or video-on-demand services, whether via cable, terrestrial systems, IPTV, or internet-based platforms, without prior authorization.
7. Strengthen organizational leadership and actively collaborate with multiple departments to foster a favorable development environment. All units should enhance their organizational leadership in advancing 4K ultra-high-definition television, ensuring comprehensive planning, meticulous scheduling, and coordinated implementation. It’s crucial to align effectively with national and local government social development plans and related initiatives, working closely with relevant departments to secure robust support and attention from party committees, governments at all levels, and broader societal stakeholders. By leveraging collaborative efforts across various sectors, we can pool our strengths and create the ideal policy framework and vibrant atmosphere needed to drive the healthy and orderly growth of 4K ultra-high-definition TV.　
National Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film, and Television
November 9, 2017