Transformations of state television production, consumption and regulation in Vietnam

This chapter examines the growing marketization of the Vietnamese television industry and the lessening influence of the ruling Communist Party in the production and consumption of culture. It highlights three aspects of state television transformation. Locally produced programs based on globalized formats, such as dramas and soap operas which aimed to socialize as much as entertain, became popular among state television viewers in Vietnam’s capital. The private media companies that are the biggest partners of HTV are the ones who secure most of the prime-time slots. The chapter outlines the cooperation between the state television broadcaster and private media companies in producing and distributing entertainment-based programs rather than programs for educational and informational purposes. It explores the explosion in popularity of interactive reality television in Vietnam and its challenge to government regulations. The chapter analyzes the changing emphasis of the government and state television stations in regulating television programs in compliance with government viewpoints and values.