HBO shows will be censored as part of Tencent distribution deal in China

HBO’s programs are coming to China. Or at least the ones approved by China’s regulators.

Time Warner’s HBO announced a deal today with China Internet giant Tencent, which will distribute its programs in China, according to Reuters.

“This partnership enables us to distribute some of the most ground-breaking programming in the world through our robust technology platform, to the benefit of Chinese Internet users,” Martin Lau, president of Tencent, told Reuters.

However, as the story notes, HBO’s original programming is known for its violence and nudity as well as its quality. That’s bound to raise issues in a country where regulators have long been seeking to block such content from television and the Internet.

Reuters notes: “The TV series and films are set to be broadcast in the very near future, said Tencent, as they are still subject to approval from China’s regulators and may need to be censored.”

Tencent did not disclose the amount it paid HBO or a precise date the shows will be available.

SOURCE: Reuters