Beat the rise! Delivery fees are going up soon. INFO

Close Notification

Your cart does not contain any items

Producing Chinese Reality Television

Power, Precarity and Working Cultures

Sophia Tianyu Zhang (Liverpool Media Academy, UK)

$170

Hardback

Not in-store but you can order this
How long will it take?

QTY:

English
Bloomsbury Academic
19 March 2026
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 six television productions, providing exclusive insights into institutional dynamics and interpersonal relationships. She examines popular television series like 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.
By:  
Imprint:   Bloomsbury Academic
Country of Publication:   United Kingdom
Dimensions:   Height: 236mm,  Width: 160mm,  Spine: 24mm
Weight:   420g
ISBN:   9781350452626
ISBN 10:   1350452629
Series:   Global East Asian Screen Cultures
Pages:   272
Publication Date:  
Audience:   College/higher education ,  Primary
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active

Tianyu Zhang is Assistant Head of Creative Media at LMA London, UK. She has worked as a Film lecturer at London South Bank University and was awarded her PhD in Media Arts from Royal Holloway University of London in January 2022. She has work experience in China’s state-owned television and private TV production companies. Her research interests include film and TV industries, with a special interest in ethnography and mental health.

See Also