PTV Network in Monterey Park is the exclusive US office for Zhong Tian (CTi) TV, straight outta…read moreTaiwan (also "subtitled" with Republic Of China, abbreviated as R.O.C, and sometimes fondly referred to by proud pro-independent expats as "TAIWAN ROCs, MUDDAFUGGAZ!!")
PTV I suppose deals only with the TV service media companies/providers, so you can't deal with them directly, except through your cable or dish network or satellite TV provider. I'm sure these guys are also responsible for the local TV commercials for nearby businesses (all of them within the Monterey Park, Arcadia, San Gabriel).
In the San Francisco Bay Area, one can subscribe to Zhong Tian via ComCrap, channel 243. However the monthly fee this wonderful cable provider charges (about the opportunity cost of a shade over a $10 BJ on the East side, or about 4 to 5 Egg McMuffins), they "throw in" Channel 244 which is CCTV if I remember correctly, a mainland China cable station.
I don't watch Ch 244 as the content does not appeal to me, but 243 has a real wide variety of content, from the mundane, to the mildly interesting, and then to the useful, the funny, the cool, and some real whacked up shit. Zhong Tian bills itself as a TV channel (subscription cable at least in Taiwan alone) that specializes in variety. However the choice of programming ironically offered through BombCrap cable, says otherwise. Interestingly PTV and ComCrap don't localize the TV commercials, so you're getting Southern Cal Chinese businesses commercials shown on SF Bay Area Ch 243. Does me no good.
Here's a sample of programming that Zhong Tian has offered via Bombcrap from the past 5 years.
The mundane: I don't know about you but when I'm paying through my ass for cable content with a special package that includes this channel, I'd like to see MORE variety. Maybe BombCrap is to blame, as the same 3 to 4 shows are repeated on Saturdays and Sundays. This FKKKs up the guide as I set to record a show on series and it counts the repeats as well, or some shows that occur once a week for some reason I can't double click to series record.
The useful: Travel shows, such as hosts from Taiwan travel to different parts of China. Some ladies might like a few of the "girly tawk" kind of shows that deal with relationship issues to beauty to skin care to fashion tips (some are DIY that would make Forever 21 look hip....)
The funny: One of my favorites is "Big Brother of Entertainment", a local talk show variety host by the name of Zhang Fei. He's a superb entertainer, makes up schtick on the spot, is superbly comedic and especially perverse when he has a bevy of ladies on his show (with the camera man always zooming in on the chests and legs...). He's like a Taiwanese Benny Hill with some Johnny Carson presence. Celebs often appear on the show to perform or to promote, and ditto for local talent from gymnastics, chefs, magicians and the ilk.
The cool: a show called Taiwan Oprah who I thought was the transsexual, but is actually someone else. Her format may be similar to that of the American Oprah, and interviews famous Hong Kong and Taiwan celebrities, but goes beyond the surface and digs deep into personal issues, childhood memories and even finds friends and contacts from their past to appear as secret guests. The food shows (far and few between these days) are always interesting, going to regional places in Taiwan and sampling local delicacies, from a simple vendor to shops/restaurants/stalls that span 100 years or more.
The whacked up shit: Red Storm....a show that I thought was the "Oprah" of Taiwan. Well maybe he/she claims to be. It's Li Ching, a person born as a dude who now identifies as a woman and dresses as one. I have no idea if she is a transvestite or a pre/post op transsexual, but really tries to act sisterly with the female guests. All I can say is that her voice is very very deep.... On some days she can look respectable and pass off as a woman. And on other days, it is totally no so hot, but major Tranny Mess.
The best of them all? I'd say the local news broadcasts that are sometimes streamed live. Not only do you have politics, entertainment and local news and the ilk, but the news format is a bit of a variety show in itself with a strong theme in sensationalism. Some of the stuff that passes for news coverage is quite embarassing these days, that range from a 65 year old grandma wearing skimpy Forever 21 whore it up clothing to help sell street food, to a dude in his 50s being clubbed by his neighbor because he got into a heated verbal dispute with him as to who was the better presidential candidate (another example of people overly passionate about their politics and willing to choke a bitch over a disagreement).
Hey it's their world, not ours.
