CCTV New Year's Gala
Encyclopedia
The CCTV
New Year's Gala is a Chinese New Year
special produced by China Central Television
. Broadcast on the eve of Chinese New Year on its flagship CCTV-1
, satellite channels CCTV-4
, CCTV-9
, CCTV-E
, CCTV-F, and CCTV-HD
, the broadcast has a yearly viewership of over 700 million viewers, making it one of the premiere television events of Mainland China
. The show features various acts, such as drama, dance, music, and comedy.
, the program begins at 8:00PM and lasts until roughly 12:30AM on the first day of the New Year. The program has become increasingly expensive every year, and tends to be set on larger stages each time. The evolution of the New Year's Gala is, in many ways, representative of China's technological growth since 1983, with a significantly new look around every five years. Research commissioned by China Television Research (CTR) in 2007 indicated that an estimated 93.6% of families watched the Gala on television, although these ratings have been disputed.
The program has received extremely large audiences, which have grown significantly over the years. The CCTV New Year's Gala is currently the most watched annual Arts and Performance event anywhere in the world, and as such, its importance has reached over to political, economic, and ethical territory. As the Chinese New Year's Eve is a time where the family gathers, the typical situation involves a large 3-generation family gathered in front of their TV set while making dumplings for the first New Year's meal. The Gala adds a mood of celebration in the house as people laugh, discuss and enjoy the performance. It has become an ingrained tradition on Mainland China to watch the New Year's Gala on New Year's Eve, and the estimated audience numbers over 700 million people.
Rural areas that previously been unfamiliar with concepts such as television often holds great gatherings on New Year's Eve to watch the program. The CCP Government has often emphasized rural areas being able to receive the New Year's Eve Gala as a progress in their economic development.
Some sources indicate that the Gala's popularity has been on the decline, although official sources from CCTV continue to claim an annual TV ratings for the Gala to be above 90%. Although consumerism has increased and younger people in urban areas are more likely to spend New Year's Eve outside of the home, the Gala has become an ingrained tradition in many Chinese families.
In 2009, CCTV vowed to ban all lip-syncing at the gala.
In 2011, Dashan
made another appearance in the gala, alongside several foreign nationals of various ages, all engaging in fluent Mandarin conversation, including one of Russian nationality, an Australian and a Kenyan. The 2011 show was also noted for the appearances of various "ordinary people" performers who were selected by popular vote in a TV competition months prior.
The show has four hosts, most of whom are CCTV regular programming hosts. There are an additional two hosts for the mobile hot-lines.
Skits (小品) has a focus on comedy
. They tend to portray typical New Year situations in all walks of life, and often reflects on society as a form of social commentary
. Skits use enough stage prop
s to rally its message. While always funny, these usually attempt to convey a message such as unity, respect for the elderly, or education.
Xiangsheng
(相声), the closest English equivalent of which is probably Stand-up comedy
, also focuses on the element of comedy. It usually involves two people who feed off each other in what seems to be a conversation discussing a certain topic, but in other times could also be the basis for a skit without props.
Song
and dance
(歌舞) are regular performances, occupying every third or fourth program. Music of many genres are played, from traditional folk songs, to more modern, Chinese pop music. Every year, there will be a series of ethnic-related songs quickly fading in and out in succession (联唱), representing China's major minority ethnic groups, the Mongols, Manchu
s, Hui
, Tibetans
, Uyghurs
, Miao
, Zhuang etc. Most songs are accompanied by dances, although there are also always dance performances without singing.
Acrobatics
(杂技) are also a regular feature. During most years, there will be magic tricks (魔术) at some point during the night, often involving foreign magicians.
The emphasis on traditional Chinese arts performances such as Chinese Opera
(戏剧) has decreased over the years, with only a few appearances in recent years, mostly crammed into no more than 10 minutes of airtime. Since 2006 this segment has been placed after the midnight mark, when there are fewer viewers. This was also partly because CCTV-3 runs a simultaneous broadcast of a New Year's Gala entirely in Chinese opera performances. The categories feature Peking opera, Yue opera, Henan opera, and Sichuan opera
.
In recent years hosts have also become part of the program, participating in xiangsheng or in skits. In addition, various allusions to hosts occur throughout the night.
Live phone and mobile lines open up every year during the hours of the Gala for the choosing of the audience's favourite program during the night. In recent years the numbers have been 168-99-999, and 160-996-996. The ultimate favourite programs are revealed at the CCTV Lantern Festival
Gala, held 15 days later.
Seconds before midnight, the hosts lead a countdown to New Year's, ending with the knocking of the bell. Around an hour after midnight, the program ends with the song Can't Forget Tonight (难忘今宵).
, Deng Xiaoping
, Jiang Zemin
, and Hu Jintao
. In 2007 and 2008, the entire line-up of Politburo Standing Committee members are displayed. In a break with tradition in 2011, imagery of national leaders were not displayed at all, despite the rendition of a patriotic song that emphasized Hu Jintao's Harmonious Society
and Scientific Development Concept
ideologies. A certain stress has been put on Chinese reunification
for many years. National unity is also constantly put into the mix. In recent years, a feature for every provincial TV station has been inserted to reflect regional differences and interests. Programming always includes performers from Hong Kong
, Macau
, and Taiwan
, usually in songs, and their affiliation with any of these entities were always displayed on screen (as of 2010 this has been phased out).
In addition to the scandal mentioned above, it is known that many Chinese performers have made numerous personal or monetary contributions, so that they can appear on the Gala.
($750,000 US).
, although the audience still applauded. Li Yong then mentioned the transition from the year bingxu (year of the dog) to dinghai (year of the pig) and a greeting to "mother comrades across the country" before being cut off by Zhu Jun's loud declaration that the new year had almost arrived. Liu Fangfei, who was relatively new to the gala, then read a line that was obviously incomplete, followed by seconds of dead air
. Zhou Tao tried following it up, only to be interrupted by Li Yong. Zhou then gave Li Yong an annoyed stare, obviously visible as the camera was focused on her. Zhu Jun then interrupted Li Yong again, only to be interrupted by Zhou Tao before the ten-second countdown began. Host Zhang Zequn has since then apologized on his CCTV blog.
The three minutes of mismanagement, along with the general dullness of the programming led some Chinese online forums to criticize the 2007 Gala as "the worst in 20 years", citing Zhao Benshan
's skit as the only bright point.
Despite the criticisms, the Gala is still a ratings powerhouse, a program in which other TV stations, some of which have gained prominence in their own right (notably Hunan TV) have scheduled their own New Year's specials on different days to avoid competing with the CCTV gala.
, Liu Xiaoqing
, Ma Ji
and Wang Jingyu. In later years Zhao Zhongxiang
and Wang Gang
gained prominence. Ni Ping appeared in over ten galas beginning in 1991, making her the most veteran female host.
Current hosts are Zhou Tao, Zhu Jun, who have been hosting since 1996, and Dong Qing and Li Yong
, since 2005. Zhu Xun and Bai Yansong
hosted the event in 2009.
Shanghainese stand-up comedian Zhou Libo
has repeatedly turned down offers from CCTV.
China Central Television
China Central Television or Chinese Central Television, commonly abbreviated as CCTV, is the major state television broadcaster in mainland China. CCTV has a network of 19 channels broadcasting different programmes and is accessible to more than one billion viewers...
New Year's Gala is a Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year – often called Chinese Lunar New Year although it actually is lunisolar – is the most important of the traditional Chinese holidays. It is an all East and South-East-Asia celebration...
special produced by China Central Television
China Central Television
China Central Television or Chinese Central Television, commonly abbreviated as CCTV, is the major state television broadcaster in mainland China. CCTV has a network of 19 channels broadcasting different programmes and is accessible to more than one billion viewers...
. Broadcast on the eve of Chinese New Year on its flagship CCTV-1
CCTV-1
CCTV-1 is the primary channel of the Chinese television network, CCTV in the People's Republic of China. It has a mixture of all kinds of TV programs, and is available to both cable and terrestrial television viewers.-External links:*...
, satellite channels CCTV-4
CCTV-4
CCTV-4 is the international broadcast for CCTV International in the Mandarin language. It is one of six CCTV channels that broadcasts outside of China, the other five being CCTV News, CCTV-E, CCTV-F, CCTV-Русский and CCTV-العربية....
, CCTV-9
CCTV-9
CCTV-9 is the documentary channel of the television network, CCTV in the People's Republic of China. This channel has a local Mandarin Chinese edition called CCTV-9, and an international English language edition called CCTV-9 Documentary. The English edition is carried by more satellites than the...
, CCTV-E
CCTV-E
CCTV International Spanish formerly CCTV-E is a Spanish language entertainment and news channel of China Central Television originating in the People's Republic of China, and are part of the Chinese Government's information ministry....
, CCTV-F, and CCTV-HD
CCTV-HD
CCTV-22 formerly CCTV-HD is China Central Television's channel designed to broadcast in HD. It was tested in Beijing on 1 January 2008, and launched officially on 30 June 2008. CCTV-HD was created specifically for the 2008 Summer Olympics and 2008 Summer Paralympics.This channel is only available...
, the broadcast has a yearly viewership of over 700 million viewers, making it one of the premiere television events of Mainland China
Mainland China
Mainland China, the Chinese mainland or simply the mainland, is a geopolitical term that refers to the area under the jurisdiction of the People's Republic of China . According to the Taipei-based Mainland Affairs Council, the term excludes the PRC Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and...
. The show features various acts, such as drama, dance, music, and comedy.
History and significance
The first CCTV New Year's Gala was held in 1982. It was the successor to Beijing Television's irregular New Year's Eve broadcasts, which date back to 1956. In the 1982 show, a unique and live New Year-related stage was set up at CCTV in Beijing, with performers in the arts, drama, dance, and song selected from all over the country. In 1983, the first annual Chinese New Year Celebration Evening Gala was held, and for every year since then at the turn of the Lunar New YearChinese New Year
Chinese New Year – often called Chinese Lunar New Year although it actually is lunisolar – is the most important of the traditional Chinese holidays. It is an all East and South-East-Asia celebration...
, the program begins at 8:00PM and lasts until roughly 12:30AM on the first day of the New Year. The program has become increasingly expensive every year, and tends to be set on larger stages each time. The evolution of the New Year's Gala is, in many ways, representative of China's technological growth since 1983, with a significantly new look around every five years. Research commissioned by China Television Research (CTR) in 2007 indicated that an estimated 93.6% of families watched the Gala on television, although these ratings have been disputed.
The program has received extremely large audiences, which have grown significantly over the years. The CCTV New Year's Gala is currently the most watched annual Arts and Performance event anywhere in the world, and as such, its importance has reached over to political, economic, and ethical territory. As the Chinese New Year's Eve is a time where the family gathers, the typical situation involves a large 3-generation family gathered in front of their TV set while making dumplings for the first New Year's meal. The Gala adds a mood of celebration in the house as people laugh, discuss and enjoy the performance. It has become an ingrained tradition on Mainland China to watch the New Year's Gala on New Year's Eve, and the estimated audience numbers over 700 million people.
Rural areas that previously been unfamiliar with concepts such as television often holds great gatherings on New Year's Eve to watch the program. The CCP Government has often emphasized rural areas being able to receive the New Year's Eve Gala as a progress in their economic development.
Some sources indicate that the Gala's popularity has been on the decline, although official sources from CCTV continue to claim an annual TV ratings for the Gala to be above 90%. Although consumerism has increased and younger people in urban areas are more likely to spend New Year's Eve outside of the home, the Gala has become an ingrained tradition in many Chinese families.
In 2009, CCTV vowed to ban all lip-syncing at the gala.
In 2011, Dashan
Dashan
Dashan is the Chinese stage name adopted by Canadian Mark Henry Rowswell, CM who works as a freelance performer in People's Republic of China. Relatively unknown in the West, Dashan is the most famous Western personality in China's media industry. He occupies a unique position as a foreign...
made another appearance in the gala, alongside several foreign nationals of various ages, all engaging in fluent Mandarin conversation, including one of Russian nationality, an Australian and a Kenyan. The 2011 show was also noted for the appearances of various "ordinary people" performers who were selected by popular vote in a TV competition months prior.
Synopsis and features
Although the show has evolved greatly since its creation, the basis by which the Gala is formed upon has remained largely consistent. The makers of the Gala tries to target all demographic groups, including programs obviously directed at a specific intended audience. The Gala has a few basic components that accompany it every year.The show has four hosts, most of whom are CCTV regular programming hosts. There are an additional two hosts for the mobile hot-lines.
Skits (小品) has a focus on comedy
Comedy
Comedy , as a popular meaning, is any humorous discourse or work generally intended to amuse by creating laughter, especially in television, film, and stand-up comedy. This must be carefully distinguished from its academic definition, namely the comic theatre, whose Western origins are found in...
. They tend to portray typical New Year situations in all walks of life, and often reflects on society as a form of social commentary
Social commentary
Social commentary is the act of rebelling against an individual, or a group of people by rhetorical means, or commentary on social issues or society...
. Skits use enough stage prop
Theatrical property
A theatrical property, commonly referred to as a prop, is an object used on stage by actors to further the plot or story line of a theatrical production. Smaller props are referred to as "hand props". Larger props may also be set decoration, such as a chair or table. The difference between a set...
s to rally its message. While always funny, these usually attempt to convey a message such as unity, respect for the elderly, or education.
Xiangsheng
Xiangsheng
Xiangsheng , sometimes translated as crosstalk, is a traditional Chinese comedic performance in the form of a dialogue between two performers, or, much less often, a solo monologue or, even less frequently, a multi-player talk show. The language, rich in puns and allusions, is delivered in a rapid,...
(相声), the closest English equivalent of which is probably Stand-up comedy
Stand-up comedy
Stand-up comedy is a comedic art form. Usually, a comedian performs in front of a live audience, speaking directly to them. Their performances are sometimes filmed for later release via DVD, the internet, and television...
, also focuses on the element of comedy. It usually involves two people who feed off each other in what seems to be a conversation discussing a certain topic, but in other times could also be the basis for a skit without props.
Song
Song
In music, a song is a composition for voice or voices, performed by singing.A song may be accompanied by musical instruments, or it may be unaccompanied, as in the case of a cappella songs...
and dance
Dance
Dance is an art form that generally refers to movement of the body, usually rhythmic and to music, used as a form of expression, social interaction or presented in a spiritual or performance setting....
(歌舞) are regular performances, occupying every third or fourth program. Music of many genres are played, from traditional folk songs, to more modern, Chinese pop music. Every year, there will be a series of ethnic-related songs quickly fading in and out in succession (联唱), representing China's major minority ethnic groups, the Mongols, Manchu
Manchu
The Manchu people or Man are an ethnic minority of China who originated in Manchuria . During their rise in the 17th century, with the help of the Ming dynasty rebels , they came to power in China and founded the Qing Dynasty, which ruled China until the Xinhai Revolution of 1911, which...
s, Hui
Hui people
The Hui people are an ethnic group in China, defined as Chinese speaking people descended from foreign Muslims. They are typically distinguished by their practice of Islam, however some also practice other religions, and many are direct descendants of Silk Road travelers.In modern People's...
, Tibetans
Tibetan people
The Tibetan people are an ethnic group that is native to Tibet, which is mostly in the People's Republic of China. They number 5.4 million and are the 10th largest ethnic group in the country. Significant Tibetan minorities also live in India, Nepal, and Bhutan...
, Uyghurs
Uyghur people
The Uyghur are a Turkic ethnic group living in Eastern and Central Asia. Today, Uyghurs live primarily in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in the People's Republic of China...
, Miao
Hmong people
The Hmong , are an Asian ethnic group from the mountainous regions of China, Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand. Hmong are also one of the sub-groups of the Miao ethnicity in southern China...
, Zhuang etc. Most songs are accompanied by dances, although there are also always dance performances without singing.
Acrobatics
Acrobatics
Acrobatics is the performance of extraordinary feats of balance, agility and motor coordination. It can be found in many of the performing arts, as well as many sports...
(杂技) are also a regular feature. During most years, there will be magic tricks (魔术) at some point during the night, often involving foreign magicians.
The emphasis on traditional Chinese arts performances such as Chinese Opera
Chinese opera
Chinese opera is a popular form of drama and musical theatre in China with roots going back as far as the third century CE...
(戏剧) has decreased over the years, with only a few appearances in recent years, mostly crammed into no more than 10 minutes of airtime. Since 2006 this segment has been placed after the midnight mark, when there are fewer viewers. This was also partly because CCTV-3 runs a simultaneous broadcast of a New Year's Gala entirely in Chinese opera performances. The categories feature Peking opera, Yue opera, Henan opera, and Sichuan opera
Sichuan opera
Sichuanese opera is a type of Chinese opera originating in China's Sichuan province around 1700. Today's Sichuan opera is a relatively recent synthesis of 5 historic melodic styles...
.
In recent years hosts have also become part of the program, participating in xiangsheng or in skits. In addition, various allusions to hosts occur throughout the night.
Live phone and mobile lines open up every year during the hours of the Gala for the choosing of the audience's favourite program during the night. In recent years the numbers have been 168-99-999, and 160-996-996. The ultimate favourite programs are revealed at the CCTV Lantern Festival
Lantern Festival
The Lantern Festival ; is a festival celebrated on the fifteenth day of the first month in the lunisolar year in the Chinese calendar, the last day...
Gala, held 15 days later.
Seconds before midnight, the hosts lead a countdown to New Year's, ending with the knocking of the bell. Around an hour after midnight, the program ends with the song Can't Forget Tonight (难忘今宵).
Politics
Since the early 1990s, the Gala has also contained subtle political enhancements. In at least one program every year, the Communist Party leaders are glorified in one way or another, to the background of a patriotic-sounding song. Displayed every year are images of Mao ZedongMao Zedong
Mao Zedong, also transliterated as Mao Tse-tung , and commonly referred to as Chairman Mao , was a Chinese Communist revolutionary, guerrilla warfare strategist, Marxist political philosopher, and leader of the Chinese Revolution...
, Deng Xiaoping
Deng Xiaoping
Deng Xiaoping was a Chinese politician, statesman, and diplomat. As leader of the Communist Party of China, Deng was a reformer who led China towards a market economy...
, Jiang Zemin
Jiang Zemin
Jiang Zemin is a former Chinese politician, who served as General Secretary of the Communist Party of China from 1989 to 2002, as President of the People's Republic of China from 1993 to 2003, and as Chairman of the Central Military Commission from 1989 to 2005...
, and Hu Jintao
Hu Jintao
Hu Jintao is the current Paramount Leader of the People's Republic of China. He has held the titles of General Secretary of the Communist Party of China since 2002, President of the People's Republic of China since 2003, and Chairman of the Central Military Commission since 2004, succeeding Jiang...
. In 2007 and 2008, the entire line-up of Politburo Standing Committee members are displayed. In a break with tradition in 2011, imagery of national leaders were not displayed at all, despite the rendition of a patriotic song that emphasized Hu Jintao's Harmonious Society
Harmonious society
The construction of a Harmonious Society is a socio-economic vision that is said to be the ultimate end result of Chinese leader Hu Jintao's signature ideology of the Scientific Development Concept. It serves as the ultimate goal for the ruling Communist Party of China along with Xiaokang society,...
and Scientific Development Concept
Scientific Development Concept
The scientific development concept, sometimes translated as the scientific development perspective, is the current official guiding socio-economic ideology of the Communist Party of China incorporating sustainable development, social welfare, a humanistic society, increased democracy, and,...
ideologies. A certain stress has been put on Chinese reunification
Chinese reunification
Chinese reunification refers to the bringing together of all of the territories controlled by the People's Republic of China and the Republic of China under a single political entity...
for many years. National unity is also constantly put into the mix. In recent years, a feature for every provincial TV station has been inserted to reflect regional differences and interests. Programming always includes performers from Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
, Macau
Macau
Macau , also spelled Macao , is, along with Hong Kong, one of the two special administrative regions of the People's Republic of China...
, and Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
, usually in songs, and their affiliation with any of these entities were always displayed on screen (as of 2010 this has been phased out).
Criticisms
In recent years, scandals and controversy have plagued the program, garnering criticisms from Chinese viewers.Scandals
Director Zhao An, who directed seven Galas before 2003, was sentenced to ten years in prison by a Beijing Court after it was made public that he had been involved with corruption in the programming.In addition to the scandal mentioned above, it is known that many Chinese performers have made numerous personal or monetary contributions, so that they can appear on the Gala.
Overcommercialism
Recently, the increase in commercialism in recent Gala productions has gathered criticism from the Chinese public. In 2007, a five-second commercial sponsored by Midea, cost ¥5.75 million RMBRenminbi
The Renminbi is the official currency of the People's Republic of China . Renminbi is legal tender in mainland China, but not in Hong Kong or Macau. It is issued by the People's Bank of China, the monetary authority of the PRC...
($750,000 US).
2007 criticism
The 2007 edition of the gala was panned by critics online as lacking in creativity and novelty. The 2007 gala was also gained infamy for the a mass breakdown referred to as the "dark three minutes" where the six hosts, Zhu Jun, Zhou Tao, Li Yong, Dong Qing, Zhang Zequn and Liu Fangfei collectively started a chain of misread and mistimed lines. Zhang Zequn was the first to read his lines incorrectly, obviously reciting the wrong chunlianDuilian
In Chinese poetry, a couplet is a pair of lines of poetry which adhere to certain rules . Outside of poems, they are usually seen on the sides of doors leading to people's homes or as hanging scrolls in an interior...
, although the audience still applauded. Li Yong then mentioned the transition from the year bingxu (year of the dog) to dinghai (year of the pig) and a greeting to "mother comrades across the country" before being cut off by Zhu Jun's loud declaration that the new year had almost arrived. Liu Fangfei, who was relatively new to the gala, then read a line that was obviously incomplete, followed by seconds of dead air
Dead air
Dead air is an unintended interruption in a radio broadcast during which no sound is transmitted.The term is most often used in cases where program material comes to an unexpected halt, either through operator error or for technical reasons, although it is also used in cases where a broadcaster...
. Zhou Tao tried following it up, only to be interrupted by Li Yong. Zhou then gave Li Yong an annoyed stare, obviously visible as the camera was focused on her. Zhu Jun then interrupted Li Yong again, only to be interrupted by Zhou Tao before the ten-second countdown began. Host Zhang Zequn has since then apologized on his CCTV blog.
The three minutes of mismanagement, along with the general dullness of the programming led some Chinese online forums to criticize the 2007 Gala as "the worst in 20 years", citing Zhao Benshan
Zhao Benshan
Zhao Benshan is a Chinese skit and sitcom actor, and recently turned TV director. He appears regularly on the CCTV New Year's Gala.-Biography:...
's skit as the only bright point.
Despite the criticisms, the Gala is still a ratings powerhouse, a program in which other TV stations, some of which have gained prominence in their own right (notably Hunan TV) have scheduled their own New Year's specials on different days to avoid competing with the CCTV gala.
Eminent performers
As the program is watched by more Chinese than any other, a performance in the New Year's Gala could propel a relatively unknown name into household talk and national celebrity overnight. The following people are often associated with the Gala:Hosts
There have been over twenty hosts in total, beginning in the early 1983. The first ever production of the show was hosted by Jiang KunJiang Kun
Jiang Kun is a Chinese football player who currently plays for Shanghai Shenhua.-Bayi Football Team:Jiang Kun started his professional football career in 1997 with Bayi Football Team after graduating from their youth team...
, Liu Xiaoqing
Liu Xiaoqing
Liu Xiaoqing is a first-class actress of China. She is also a businesswoman. She was one of the leading actresses in China in the 1980s.-Position:the First-class Actress of people's Republic of China...
, Ma Ji
Ma Ji
Ma Ji , born Ma Shuhuai , was a xiangsheng performer in China. He was one of his generation's most popular and influential xiangsheng performer and was mentor to many later xiangsheng performers.- Biography :...
and Wang Jingyu. In later years Zhao Zhongxiang
Zhao Zhongxiang
Zhao Zhongxiang Zhao Zhongxiang Zhao Zhongxiang (赵忠祥; b 1942, Beijing is a well-known Chinese news anchor on the national news program Xinwen Lianbo and television host. He joined China Central Television in 1959.Zhao has been a host of the CCTV New Year's Gala...
and Wang Gang
Wang Gang (actor)
Wang Gang is a Chinese performing artist, TV host and actor. He came to prominence hosting the CCTV New Year's Gala in 1986 and later playing the role of He Shen in various films and television series, appearing in 168 episodes as the character. He has also hosted the CCTV program Friends since...
gained prominence. Ni Ping appeared in over ten galas beginning in 1991, making her the most veteran female host.
Current hosts are Zhou Tao, Zhu Jun, who have been hosting since 1996, and Dong Qing and Li Yong
Li Yong
Li Yong is a leading host on China Central Television . He is known for his unorthodox presentation skills and outfits.Li's family originate from Shandong, but he grew up in Xinjiang, the west part of China, where he was interested in painting as a child. He excelled in the National College...
, since 2005. Zhu Xun and Bai Yansong
Bai Yansong
Bai Yansong is a prominent Chinese news anchor and journalist affiliated with China Central Television, China's national television network, and is known for his articulate and confident style. He was born in Inner Mongolia, China and is an ethnic Mongol. Bai was one of CCTV's major news anchors...
hosted the event in 2009.
Shanghainese stand-up comedian Zhou Libo
Zhou Libo
Zhou Libo is a Chinese stand-up comedian. On December 1, 2006, he made his first special performance in Anfu Road, Shanghai. In late 2008, Zhou Libo create his own stand-up comedy called "Shanghai Style Small Talk" which includes A Laughable Talk on the Past 30 Years and A Laughable Talk in Big...
has repeatedly turned down offers from CCTV.
Recurring Performers
- Zhao BenshanZhao BenshanZhao Benshan is a Chinese skit and sitcom actor, and recently turned TV director. He appears regularly on the CCTV New Year's Gala.-Biography:...
; Gao Xiumin ; Fan WeiFan WeiFan Wei , born September 2, 1962 in Shenyang, Liaoning, China, is a Chinese skit and sitcom actor and film actor, best known for his performances with Zhao Benshan in CCTV New Year’s Galas since 1995. In recent years, he has been featured in such films as Cell Phone, A World Without Thieves, If...
; - skits, 1990s - 2010s; XiaoshenyangXiaoshenyangXiaoshenyang , born as Shen He , is a Chinese artiste. He is a disciple of Zhao Benshan and formally an er ren zhuan performer. His stage name means literally "Little Shenyang"....
- since 2009 - Song DandanSong DandanSong Dandan is a very popular Chinese skit and sitcom actress.-Biography:She was trained and started as a drama actress. But it was her skit debut, A Date with Slug, in 1989 CCTV New Year's Gala that brought her immediate success. Afterwards she costarred firstly with Huang Hong then with her most...
; Chen Peisi ; Zhu Shimao - skits, 1990s - Guo Da & Cai Ming; Huang HongHuang HongHuang Hong is a Chinese skit and sitcom actor and writer. He is also less successful as a TV series and movie producer and director.Born in Harbin, he joined the PLA when he was only 13. He studied philosophy at Liaoning University and performance at Academy of Arts for PLA...
- skits, 1990s - 2010s - Feng GongFeng GongFeng Gong is a Chinese actor, xiangsheng performer, film director, and screenwriter from Tianjin, China. He is the great grandson of Feng Guozhang, a statesman and warlord of China during the early 20th century.- Partial filmography :...
and Niu Qun - xiangsheng, 1990s - 2000s - Jiang Kun - xiangsheng, 1980s - 2011
- DashanDashanDashan is the Chinese stage name adopted by Canadian Mark Henry Rowswell, CM who works as a freelance performer in People's Republic of China. Relatively unknown in the West, Dashan is the most famous Western personality in China's media industry. He occupies a unique position as a foreign...
(stage name of Canadian Mark Rowswell), gained his fame through the Gala, 1990s - 2010s - Song ZuyingSong ZuyingSong Zuying is an ethnic Miao Chinese singer.-Biography:Song was born in Guzhang county, part of a Miao autonomous prefecture in Hunan and studied at the Central Institute for Nationalities in Beijing. Her father died when she was 12, and she is the oldest daughter. In 1991, she joined the Chinese...
, Peng LiyuanPeng LiyuanPeng Liyuan is one of the top Chinese folk music singers, and a performer popularized by her regular appearances on the annual CCTV New Year's Gala, a widely viewed mainland Chinese television program that airs during Chinese New Year...
, Yan Weiwen; folk singers, 1990s - 2010s
Guest appearances
These performers have made appearances at the Gala- Faye WongFaye WongFaye Wong is a highly successful and influential Chinese singer-songwriter and actress who is usually referred to as a diva . Early in her career she briefly used the stage name Shirley Wong . Born in Beijing, she moved to Hong Kong in 1987 and rose to stardom in the early 1990s by singing...
(1998; 2010) - Zhao WeiZhao WeiZhao Wei is a mainland Chinese film actress and pop singer. Audiences sometimes refer to her by her English name, Vicki Zhao...
(2000; 2004) - Members of the Chinese Space ProgramChinese space programThe space program of the People's Republic of China is directed by the China National Space Administration . Its technological roots can be traced back to the late 1950s, when the People's Republic began a rudimentary ballistic missile program in response to perceived American threats...
(2007-2009) - Alilang GroupAlilang GroupAlilang Group is a Chinese pop music group, made up of four Korean Chinese members: Jin Zenan , Jin Runji , Zhang Jinyou and Quan He , all of Jilin Province, China...
of four Korean Chinese males, singing DorajiDoraji (folk song)Doraji is a folk song popular among the ancient Korean and Chinese peoples. The song originated from North Korea. Doraji means a wild flower found in Korea, which is usually called the Chinese bellflower in English....
(2009) - Wang Lee Hom (2010)
- Chan Kwok KuenChan Kwok KuenDanny Chan, also known as Chan Kwok-Kwan is a Hong Kong male actor, dance choreographer and lead singer of his rock band 'Poet'. He has been in both of Stephen Chow's box office smash movies Shaolin Soccer and Kung Fu Hustle. He bears a striking resemblance to the late kung fu legend Bruce Lee,...
(2009) - Lu Chen (2009; 2010)
- Jackie ChanJackie ChanJackie Chan, SBS, MBE is a Hong Kong actor, action choreographer, comedian, director, producer, martial artist, screenwriter, entrepreneur, singer and stunt performer. In his movies, he is known for his acrobatic fighting style, comic timing, use of improvised weapons, and innovative stunts...
(2005; 2009) - Jay ChouJay ChouJay Chou is a Taiwanese musician, singer-songwriter, music and film producer, actor and director who has won the World Music Award four times. In 1998 he was discovered in a talent contest where he displayed his piano and song-writing skills. Over the next two years, he was hired to compose for...
(2008; 2009; 2011) - Fei Yu-ChingFei Yu-chingChang Yen-ting was born on 17 July 17 1955, better known as Fei Yu-ching . He is a Taiwanese singer-songwriter and the younger brother of television personality Chang Fei.-Biography:...
(2008) - S.H.ES.H.ES.H.E is a Taiwanese girl group whose members are Selina Jen, Hebe Tien, and Ella Chen. The name of the group is an alphabetism derived from the first letter of each member's name. Since releasing their first album Girls Dorm , S.H.E has recorded 12 albums with sales totalling over 15 million, and...
(2008) - Zhang ZiyiZhang ZiyiZhang Ziyi is a Chinese film actress. Zhang is coined by the media as one of the Four Young Dan actresses in the Film Industry in China, along with Zhao Wei, Xu Jinglei, and Zhou Xun...
(2000; 2001; 2008) - 2008 also featured a poem dedicated to the victims of the 2008 Chinese winter storms2008 Chinese winter stormsThe 2008 Chinese winter storms（2008年中国雪灾、2008年中国南方雪灾）are a series of winter storm events that affected large portions of southern and central China starting on 25 January 2008 until 6 February 2008. The systems affected most of the area with heavy snows, ice and cold temperatures causing extensive...
with it read out loud to the audience by eminent performers, including Li Ruiying, Kang Hui, Pu CunxinPu CunxinPu Cunxin, also transliterated as Pu Quanxin is a Chinese actor. He is or was a member of the Beijing Experimental Theater Troupe.- Films :- External links :* at the Chinese Movie Database...
, Wang GangWang Gang (actor)Wang Gang is a Chinese performing artist, TV host and actor. He came to prominence hosting the CCTV New Year's Gala in 1986 and later playing the role of He Shen in various films and television series, appearing in 168 episodes as the character. He has also hosted the CCTV program Friends since...
, Chen DaomingChen DaomingChen Daoming is a famous Chinese actor known for his flexibility and longevity. He has been branded the Emperor of Chinese drama, having starred in all types of dramas and films....
, Jiang WenJiang WenJiang Wen is a Chinese film actor and director. As a director, he is sometimes grouped with the "sixth generation" that emerged in the 1990s. Jiang is also well known internationally as an actor, having starred with Gong Li in Zhang Yimou's debut film Red Sorghum...
, Han Lei, Wei WeiWei Wei (singer)Wei Wei is a Mandopop singer and actress. She was born in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia and was raised in Liuzhou, Guangxi.Wei Wei recently performed at the opening ceremony of the , as well as at the closing ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics...
and Zhang GuoliZhang GuoliZhang Guoli is an award winning Chinese film director and actor. Zhang was a xiangsheng actor before he started working on films and television series. He is married to actress Deng Jie and their son Zhang Mo is also an actor.... - Angela ChangAngela ChangAngela Chang was born on 19 January 1982. She is a Taiwanese Mandopop singer and actress. She has been nominated twice for Best Leading Actress in a Television Series at the Golden Bell Awards, Taiwan.-Biography:...
(2008) - Jolin TsaiJolin TsaiJolin Tsai was born on 15 September 1980. She is a Taiwanese Golden Melody Award-winning Mandopop singer, dancer and actor. She is managed by Mars Entertainment Ltd .-Career:...
, David TaoDavid TaoDavid Tao , born Tao Xuzhong , was born on 11 July 1969. He is a Taiwanese Golden Melody Award-winning singer-songwriter. He is well-known for creating a crossover genre of R&B and hard rock tunes which has now become his signature style and for having popularized R&B in the Mandopop...
(duet 2007) - Joey YungJoey YungJoey Yung is a Hong Kong Cantopop singer and actress from Emperor Entertainment Group. She won the prestigious JSG "Most Popular Female Singer" and "Ultimate Best Female Singer - Gold" awards a record breaking six times, thus emerging as one of the premier Cantonese singers in Hong Kong...
(2005; 2007; 2010; 2011) - Cui YongyuanCui YongyuanCui Yongyuan is an eminent Chinese talk show host that is known for his natural and relaxed style, differentiating him from other rigid and serious Chinese TV hosts.-Biography:Cui graduated from the Communication University of China...
(1998, 2006) - Lin Junjie (2006)
- Andy LauAndy LauAndy Lau MH, JP is a Hong Kong Cantopop singer, actor, and film producer. Lau has been one of Hong Kong's most commercially successful film actors since the mid-1980s, performing in more than 160 films while maintaining a successful singing career at the same time...
(1995; 2006?) - A-doA-doDo Cheng Yi , popularly known as A-Do , is a singer from Singapore.The ex-construction foreman was spotted by Singaporean producer Billy Koh in his company's talent search. He has since been signed to Ocean Butterflies Music....
(duet with Zhao WeiZhao WeiZhao Wei is a mainland Chinese film actress and pop singer. Audiences sometimes refer to her by her English name, Vicki Zhao...
in 2004) - Ruby LinRuby LinRuby Lin is a Taiwanese actress and pop singer. Her English name is from her mother's love of the jewel.Lin made her acting debut in a TV commercial in Taiwan. When she received her first experience in front of the camera in 1995, for a minor role, she started to develop a passion for acting...
- Fei XiangFei XiangFei Xiang is a Chinese-American pop icon and musical singer.-Early life:...
(1987) - Hao GeHao GeHao Ge is the Chinese stage name of Nigerian-born singer Uwechue Emmanuel. He rose to fame through a performance with Han Hong on the CCTV New Year's Gala and has emerged as one of the most notable foreign singers in China....
- Han Geng (2011)
- Lin Chi-lingLin Chi-lingLin Chi-ling , is a Taiwanese model and actress. Famed for her gentle demeanor and physical beauty, Lin has been referred to as "The First Face of Taiwan" by members of the Taiwanese media, and has been an official spokesperson for both China Airlines and Longines since 2006...
(2011)
See also
- 2009 CCSTV New Year's Gala
- Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' EveDick Clark's New Year's Rockin' EveDick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest is a television program that airs every New Year's Eve on ABC. It has been hosted by Dick Clark since its first airing on Sunday, December 31, 1972. Ryan Seacrest has been the program's co-host since the December 31, 2005 telecast...
- 2010 CCTV New Year's Gala