The State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television (SAPPRFT), formerly known as SARFT, is imposing new restrictions on televised musical talent shows.

It announced last week details of "regulations and controls" to cap the number of singing competition programs, demanding a stop in the creation of new entries in the genre and the postponing of the airing of shows not yet broadcast. It also warned the television stations to avoid "extravagance, dazzling packaging and sensationalism" in the shows, and encouraged originality and creativity in show content.

The purpose of the new regulation, as SAPPRFT stated on Wednesday, is to "avoid the monopoly of television programs, offer the audiences more options and satisfy people's diverse demands for a more vibrant television culture."

It has been reported that 13 singing talent shows were previously scheduled to be aired this summer.

Though many questioned whether Chinese audiences need so many repetitive shows, government watchdog's decision to step in is also disfavored by quite some audience members. They think the decision should be made by the market.

Since Super Girls, a talent show for female singers, became a hit in China in 2004, the number of such shows has seen a remarkable surge.

But most of them are cookie-cutter products of low quality, which fiercely compete for viewership, with nearly all contestants being packaged with a sensational story to grab the audience.

It's not been rare for contestants who, on the show, seem plain and have touching life stories, to be caught in nightclubs in heavy makeup. Controversies around the "reality" of these shows is on the rise, and the audience seems keener in determining the authenticity of contestants' stories than on the shows themselves.

Besides, although all singing competitions advertise themselves as a way for contestants to fulfill their dreams, some musical critics have pointed out that the stagnated Chinese music industry in fact cannot meet the demand of the "stars" produced by the competitions, who rapidly slip from the public eye.

The SAPPRFT's regulations are meant to curb the superfluous and homogeneous competitions.

The sustainable development of TV variety shows lies in varied styles, active themes, and creativity. Some argue that the vitality of culture cannot be regulated and instead they should give producers more freedom.

But the SAPPRFT's regulations might also stimulate producers to evoke innovation and build high-quality domestic programs through putting limits on copycatting. Let's hope TV stations actively respond to the regulations and make efforts to be creative.