The only thing better than having little competition is having none at all, and that’s what’s happening in China’s internet TV domain.

The State Committee on Films and Broadcast Media (SCFBM) announced on June 23 that it is now forbidding the use of two popular internet TV set-top boxes because they violate video downloading regulations, reported Phoenix News.

The two companies that have had their products revoked from the market are the Huashu Media Company in Zhejiang Province with its “Sky Devil Cat Box” device, and Baishi in Shanghai with its own version of the internet TV box.

Both devices are similar to the Apple TV, in that they allow users to watch content from internet streaming sites like Qiyi, Sohu, Youku as well as other licensed content. However, the SCFBM, which is the PRC state censorship body for films and television, are unhappy with the boxes because they allow the viewing of pirated content. More to the point, the content could be obscene, “low-cultured”, or in opposition to the government.

The government body formerly known as SARFT said the two companies were selling preinstalled apps that were not authorized, and asked both to reform their products before they could be relaunched.

Not only are these boxes now off the market, SCFBM has an alternative already in place: its own set-top box. On June 26, the head of the technology department for the State Committee on Films and Broadcast Media Wang Xiaojie unveiled its independently-developed and researched smart TV operating system called TVOS 1.0. This specially-designed multi-tasking terminal for televisions is even compatible with Android systems.

Wang told iFeng News:

At present, there aren’t any specially-designed operating systems for televisions. The optimization of Android and iOS systems for televisions has not yet been completed.

Now you, too, can enjoy Chinese government-approved television, streaming from the internet, in the comfort of your living room.

Photo: iFeng