An official from the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television said this week that his bureau is considering approving the entry of private money into the Chinese digital TV industry. Though individuals would be allowed to have part ownership of the channels, the right to operate these channels would not be opened to them.

China is now putting its efforts into promoting its digital TV system and expects to use it to take the place of the current TV system by 2015.

China has issued digital TV licenses to four media companies including Shanghai TV, China Cable Television, CHC Home Cinema and a united body made up of five companies. The granting of these licenses breaks CCTV's monopoly in the industry.

Officials hinted that they may open the media industry to overseas institutions, allowing them to establish joint-venture media companies with Chinese enterprises. But the detailed schedule for this has not yet been disclosed.