China's Streaming Fans Face a Long Wait

Binge-watching, that proud pastime of American TV addicts, may soon be the only legal way for viewers in China to catch up on their favorite foreign shows. The Chinese government has quietly instituted a censorship policy that bars video sites from streaming new episodes of programs—including Mad Men and The Simpsons—in the country until after the shows’ seasons have ended, say two people familiar with the matter who weren’t authorized to discuss it publicly.

Video sites such as Sohu.com and Baidu’s IQiyi, previously left to police themselves, can submit episodes to censors for approval only once the full seasons have aired, say the people. Seasons beginning in September and ending in May in the U.S. won’t be legally available to Chinese Internet users until June at the earliest. The State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film & Television—the government agency in charge of carrying out the policy—didn’t respond to requests for comment, and spokesmen for Sohu and IQiyi declined to comment.