China is strengthening regulations on foreign broadcast programs, claiming that many shows are still too dependent on foreign formats and have few original ideas.

According to China’s official Xinhua news agency on Monday, the State Administration of Radio, Film, and Television(SARFT) announced on Sunday a new regulation on the entry of foreign broadcast programs.

Under the regulation, Chinese broadcasting companies must go through prescreening censorship and gain approval from the administration two months before broadcasting foreign programs in order to air them during the 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. prime time.

The administration said that only programs promoting Chinese cultural characteristics can boost and preserve the core values of socialism, patriotism and the country's advanced traditional culture.

The new regulation will take effect from July first.