One year after facing restrictions from Chinese censors, "The Big Bang Theory" is allowed to be streamed again on mainland websites. Beginning July 22, season 8 of the US sitcom will be available to Chinese viewers on major online video provider Sohu TV.

The comedy series is the first US TV show that has gained the approval of China's State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television (SARFT) since the watchdog's implementation of rigid review on foreign TV productions in September 2014. The Big Bang Theory, along with "NCIS," "The Good Wife," and "The Practice," was pulled out of video websites in April 2014 for "violating regulations." The censorship body cited Article 16 of the country's Internet Audiovisual Programme Service Management Regulations, wherein contents "which hurt the nation's honor and interests, and encourage teenagers to break laws and spread violence, eroticism, gambling and terrorism" as reasons for discontinuance.

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Prior its removal, the popular sitcom enjoyed 1.3 billion views on Sohu. Following the announcement, the streaming website uploaded three trailers, which Chinese fans welcomed with 460,000 views within the first five days. Netizens were also filled with mixed reactions to the lifting of the ban, from excitement of finally catching up with the latest episodes to apprehension that the original content may still be subject to changes by the SARFT. However, the first seven seasons are still prohibited from being shown in China.

In May 2014, creator Chuck Lorre used his "vanity cards" to air his sentiment against the ban on his series. His sarcastic message was screencapped and shared on several Chinese social media but was immediately took down.

"The government of China has decided that 'The Big Bang Theory' is not appropriate for viewing. I have to assume there was some sort of formal process involved in this decision . . . I like to think that during these screenings one of them laughed out loud and was promptly sent to a re-education camp on the outskirts of Urumqi . . . The overlords of 1.3 billion people are afraid of our sitcom. Exactly what we were going for!"

In 2012, the media censor prevented foreign shows from being aired between 7:00  and 10:00 p.m. and limited to 50 episodes per show. The rule was met with massive outrage, which prompted an amendment that new shows will only be aired in China at least six months after homeland debut. Such implementation allows SARFT to have ample time to review and censor the content of the foreign shows.

TagsThe Big Bang Theory, The Big Bang Theory Season 8, US TV series, China ban on foreign shows, State Administration of Press, NCIS, the good wife, The Practice, Chuck Lorre, Sohu TV