Abstract
A large sample of entertainment television programs that aired on 28 channels in China in 2004 were analyzed for romantic and sexual content. Romantic scenes, typically portraying men and women already in committed relationships, appeared in 80 percent of the 196 programs analyzed. The analysis suggested that, according to Chinese television in the early part of the 21(st) Century, emotional love was more important than physical sexual interaction in romantic relationships. More than half of the 1,112 romantic scenes analyzed depicted love between the partners without any discussion or display of physical sexual behavior. Only eight percent of scenes included discussion or depiction of sexual behavior (e.g., touching, kissing, intercourse) without some sense that the partners were in a loving, committed relationship. Sexual intercourse was implied or depicted in fewer than two percent of the romantic scenes. Findings are discussed in light of the Chinese government's periodic regulation of sexually suggestive media content and attempts to filter Internet content. The extent to which such content may affect young viewers' perceptions of romantic relationships and sexual behavior is also discussed.