CCTV International Rebrands as China Global Television Networks

China’s state broadcaster moves to create a separate identity for its overseas presence.

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In a push towards broader soft power influence and acceptance, China Central Television (CCTV) renamed its international networks as China Global Television Network (CGTN).

CGTN covers all of CCTV’s former foreign language channels and websites, which include Arabic, English, French, Russian, and Spanish broadcasts. Like other Chinese media, including CCTV and Communist Party of China newspaper People’s Daily, CGTN will maintain a presence on English-language social media, including outlets that are blocked in China such as Facebook and Twitter.

“CGTN will strengthen its global reporting ability to provide viewers with better services. It will expand its mobile new media platform and explore media convergence,” the unit said in its official launch announcement.

The new international arm has been furiously hiring foreign talent for both on-camera and technical talent, beginning in the second half of 2016. CGTN will continue to share a number of resources with CCTV, including the iconic, Rem Koolhaas-designed headquarters in Beijing. Like CCTV, CGTN remains under the ownership and control of the People’s Republic of China government.