Chinese anti-graft TV drama In the Name of People became TV’s champion after its first episode pulled in 2.41 percent of total viewers, according to CSM Media Research.
The ratings for the show may have even researched as high as 3.91 percent according to ratings-tracker CSM-huan, which was more than twice the viewership numbers earned by the live broadcast of the World Cup qualifiers (1.45) featuring the Chinese national team going head-to-head against Iran’s soccer team.
The show also had a good showing on Chinese streaming platforms. The first two episodes had nearly 19.7 million views on Tencent and more than 12 million views on iOiyi as of last Thursday.
The show currently holds a 9.0/10 on Chinese media review site Douban.
“There are two aspect about In the Name of People to which we should pay attention. First, the cast includes a number of veteran and skilled actors, which during a time when pop stars dominate TV and movie screens is notable. Second, shooting an anti-corruption show featuring serious political themes under the current censorship system is like trying to dance wrapped in chains. Therefore it is much more difficult to create an excellent show than it is fore other genres,” netizen Zts wrote in a review on Douban.
Produced with the support of the TV and Film Production Center under the Supreme People’s Procuratorate, In the Name of People comes at a time when the Chinese central government has increased its anti-corruption efforts.
The show is based on the novel of the same name by Chinese writer Zhou Meisen, who was also scriptwriter for the series.
Words and expressions：
anti-graft 反腐 Episode （电视剧）一集
viewship 电视观众 收视人数 streaming platforms 流媒体
cast 演员阵容 veteran 老手，经验丰富的人
censorship 审查制度 corruption 腐败
procuratorate 检察院
Questions:
1. What is the viewing rate when the Chinese national team went head-to-head against Iran’s soccer team in the World Cup?
2. According to Zts, why is this TV drama so notable and popular ?
