Online performance businesses need a cultural operations license; audiovisual program licensing generally requires state ownership or control
Operating an online performance business, including game displays and commentary covered by the cited rules, requires a provincial Online Culture Business Permit whose scope expressly includes online performance. A decision is due within 20 days of acceptance, and the permit lasts three years. Keep performance recordings for at least 60 days. Unauthorized commercial internet cultural activity can result in an order to stop, a warning, and a fine up to RMB 30,000; continued operation after an order can lead to cultural-market blacklisting.
What it takes
China's Online Culture Business Permit, often called a wangwen permit, governs commercial online performance activities such as covered livestreams and game commentary. Provincial cultural authorities decide within 20 days after accepting an application. The permit lasts three years and renewal should be sought at least 30 days before expiry. The separate audiovisual program license requires a wholly state-owned or state-controlled legal entity.
What you may gain
Online performance operators must apply to provincial cultural authorities under the Interim Provisions on Internet Culture Administration, with online performance expressly included in the permit's scope. Game demonstrations and commentary are managed by reference to the same measures. All online performance video materials must be retained for at least 60 days. Unauthorized commercial internet cultural activity can bring cessation orders, warnings, and fines up to RMB 30,000; refusal to stop can lead to blacklisting. Internet audiovisual program services require a separate License for Dissemination of Audiovisual Programs through Information Networks. Applicants must have legal-person status and be wholly state-owned or state-controlled, making this route generally unavailable to ordinary private companies. Unlicensed provision can lead to a warning, correction order, and a fine up to RMB 30,000; serious cases are handled under broadcasting and television regulations. These rules apply in China.
Context & considerations
The seven-department document distinguishes the required approvals by activity. Platforms conducting commercial online performance livestreams need the cultural permit and an ICP filing, the registration procedure with MIIT. Audiovisual program services require the appropriate audiovisual license or registration route. Internet news services require an internet news information service license. These categories should be matched to the actual business; “livestreaming” alone is not a complete legal classification. The version of the Interim Provisions republished on the Chinese government website in 2025 was the unamended 2011 text; use the current text on the Ministry of Culture and Tourism website.
Research & references
Ministry of Culture (2016). Measures for the Administration of Online Performance Business Activities, Wenshifa [2016] No. 33, Articles 2, 4, 6, 13, and 20. https://zwgk.mct.gov.cn/zfxxgkml/scgl/202012/t20201206_918194.html; Ministry of Culture (2011). Interim Provisions on Internet Culture Administration, Order No. 51, amended by Order No. 57 in 2017, Articles 7, 8, 9, 16, 21, and 28. https://zwgk.mct.gov.cn/zfxxgkml/zcfg/bmgz/202012/t20201204_905340.html; State Administration of Radio, Film and Television and Ministry of Information Industry (2007). Provisions on the Administration of Internet Audiovisual Program Services, Order No. 56, amended 2015, Articles 2, 7, 8, and 24. https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/2022-08/23/content_5722664.htm; Cyberspace Administration of China and six other departments (2021). Guiding opinions on strengthening standardized management of online livestreaming, Guoxinban Fawen [2021] No. 3, item 9. https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/zhengceku/2021-02/10/content_5586472.htm