THE SIMPSONS - THE SIMPSONS BANISHED FROM PRIMETIME IN CHINA

THE SIMPSONS BANISHED FROM PRIMETIME IN CHINA

The Chinese government is set to announce a ban on foreign animations including THE SIMPSONS being shown during primetime TV viewing hours, in a bid to resuscitate the Asian country's struggling cartoon industry. Leading Chinese politicians are reportedly unhappy that foreign cartoons are so popular with youngsters, despite a concerted effort to improve homegrown animation studios. The proposed ban, which has yet to be formally announced, will banish HOMER and his family, MICKEY MOUSE and POKEMON between 5pm and 8pm (local time), and it has already come underfire from the media. An article in the Southern Metropolis News yesterday (13AUG) read: "This is a worrying, shortsighted policy and will not solve the fundamental problems in China's cartoon industry. "The viewing masses, whether adults or children, will have no choice but to passively support Chinese products."