A recent survey of 65,043 net users in China showed that the removal of the four popular American TV series from Chinese video sites have affected the lives of Chinese viewers who have been following the shows.

The survey, conducted by ifeng.com, showed that 67 percent of the respondents, or around 43,600, said the removal of the four shows - The Good Wife, NCIS, The Practice and The Big Bang Theory - will influence their lives, with 42 percent saying the influence will be significant.

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Majority of the respondents also said that the removal of the said American TV shows will not benefit domestic shows because the four TV series had different target audiences in China.

The survey also showed that 7 out of 10 respondents do not want the government to impose the same strict rules it imposes to domestic shows to American shows.

Aside from joining in the ifeng.com survey, Chinese netizens also turned to the social media to express their disgust over the decision of the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television to take out the said movies from video sites.

At least 75,000 Sina Weibo users have already taken part in the discussion about the issue, with most of the users saying the four shows that were taken off online were not in violation of any Chinese rules.

The administration did not even give the exact reason for its order but sources said the move was part of China's plan to strictly monitor shows that are being played on Chinese video websites.

Analysts believed the order is part of China's intensified management of online video and audio programs. Previously, movies offered on Chinese video websites were not subject to direct examination by authorities.

Video websites were also not given any quote for purchasing TV programs overseas. This prompted Chinese video website owners to invest heavily on licensing US TV series in order to grab a huge slice of China's 400 million online video viewers.

Early last month, the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television said it will intensify its monitoring of online movies and shows being viewed by Chinese netizens and warned that programs deemed in violation of regulations will be removed immediately.

Among the inappropriate content mentioned by the administration are shows and movies that promote superstition, violence, gambling or salaciousness.