Mainland television viewers will be relying more on the internet for their programmes after the top broadcast regulator ordered a series of new content rules, including a ban on remakes of foreign shows.
The State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (Sarft) has told broadcasters to cut back on conflicts and jokes in historical serials and more clearly distinguish between heroes and villains in dramas about the Communist revolution, The Beijing News reported.
The agency also banned popular online games from being turned into television series.
The orders were seen as the latest attempt to rein in popular culture ahead of this autumn's national congress, when the party plans a once-in-a-decade change of power.
Content restrictions on television serials have been repeatedly tightened in recent years.
Earlier this year, Sarft banned imported television series from airing during prime time and relegated foreign-made television serials to runs of no longer than 50 episodes.
The latest Sarft directives were seen as reminiscent of a similar tightening last year, after a spree of high rating crime, spy and time-travel dramas prompted the agency to implement a three-month ban on such programming ahead of the party's anniversary in July.