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China is stepping up censorship of foreign TV shows streamed online and has ordered leading video streaming websites to stop showing the popular showsThe Good Wife,The Big Bang Theory,NCISandThe Practice.

The order has come down from the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television and the watchdog has not given any reason for the ruling.

The popular showThe Blacklisthas also had episodes that criticized the Chinese government cut recently.

As reported inThe Hollywood Reporterearlier this month, SAPPRFT said it was planning to increase censorship of foreign content and warned that online companies such as Youku, Tencent and Sohu would have to closely vet content before making it available to stream.

Generally, the online streaming sites have operated with far more freedom to show edgy material such asThe Walking DeadandHouse of Cardsthan the traditional media such as TV and cinema.

Its long been baffling how the government allows a show likeHouse of Cardsto be seen in China, particularly the second season which had a storyline critical of Chinese government corruption.

However, it was generally suspected that theKevin Spacey-starring depiction of sleaze, debauchery, graft and general malfeasance in Washington chimed with an acceptable message on the dangers of democratic institutions.

China's ambassador to the U.S.,Cui Tiankai,has said he has seen every episode ofHouse of Cards, which includes the line Maos China is dead!

The state news agency Xinhua wrote of howTHR's coverage of the apparent crackdownhad caused thousands of Chinese fans to protest online at a perceived blow against freedom of choice -- another sign of the surging popularity of Hollywood shows in China.

Meanwhile, the Chinese web giant Sina.com has made repeated apologies for allowing pornography onto its sites, which has led to it having its licenses for Internet publication and audio and video dissemination revoked.

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'Big Bang Theory' Axed as China Steps Up Censorship of Overseas TV Online