Chinese state-owned broadcaster China Central Television has launched the country's first national IPTV service, China Network Television (CNTV).
The internet TV station consists of three channels of news, sports and entertainment, an on-demand service offering programing from China Central Television, as well as Xiyou - a portal for users to chat and upload self-made videos - state news outlet Xinhua said.
A new series of channels - covering finance, movies, health, weather, travel, education and music - will be launched in 2010, China Tech News said.
CNTV is a multi-language service. The network launched with five overseas mirror sites, and is currently accessible in nearly 100 countries from regions including Southeast Asia, Europe, North America and Russia.
Launching the service, Politburo member Li Changchun said the launch aims to help Chinese traditional media capitalize on the new online and social media outlets.
The service also aims to improve China's image overseas, as well as its global media influence, according to Variety, and forms part of a 45 billion yuan ($6.59 billion) plan to expand state-owned media outlets China Central Television, Xinhua news and the People's Daily newspaper.
The CNTV website is accessible at CNTV.cn.