Producing Chinese Reality Television

Power, Precarity and Working Cultures

Producing Chinese Reality Television cover

Producing Chinese Reality Television

Power, Precarity and Working Cultures

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Pre-order. Available 19 Mar 2026
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Description

This study examines the production of popular Chinese reality television, complemented by interviews with a broad range of practitioners including newcomers, contractors, and migrant workers, all of whom form the industry's backbone.

Tianyu Zhang draws on first hand experiences across four television productions, providing exclusive insights into institutional dynamics and interpersonal relationships. She examines popular television series like Job Hunting (2010-), Win the Bill (2013-) and Waiting For Me (2014-), uncovering concealed narratives of precarious production that shape Chinese television.

She goes on to examine regulations impacting the broader labour market, including unsupportive national policies, social welfare systems, unhealthy work values, and the absence of trade unions, considering how these impact the television industry. Spanning a spectrum of media landscapes, from state-owned giants like China Central Television (CCTV) to provincial outlets and independent production houses, this comprehensive study captures the essence of Chinese reality TV production.

Table of Contents

Introduction
1. Defining factors in China's labour market
2. Pre-production panning: complicated, effortful, under-developed?
3. Production and post-production: teamwork and improvisation
4. Production Ethics
5. Management from above
6. Self-management
Conclusion: Production cultures with Chinese characteristics
Bibliography
Appendices

Product details

Bloomsbury Academic Test
Published 19 Mar 2026
Format Hardback
Edition 1st
Extent 256
ISBN 9781350452626
Imprint Bloomsbury Academic
Illustrations 30 bw illus
Dimensions 234 x 156 mm
Series Global East Asian Screen Cultures
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

About the contributors

Author

Sophia Tianyu Zhang

Tianyu Zhang is Assistant Head of Creative Media a…

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