Shenzhen Media Group
A state-controlled broadcasting and media organization serving Shenzhen through television, radio and digital news services.
Last updated October 12, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile since Oct 28, 2026.
Overview
Shenzhen Media Group (SZMG) is a state-controlled media organization based in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, China. Its principal activities are television broadcasting, radio broadcasting and online news and information services. The group operates a broad local broadcasting portfolio that includes twelve television channels and four radio stations. These outlets carry news, music, Chinese-language talk programming and other television and radio content for audiences in Shenzhen and the wider Chinese media environment. The organization developed from Shenzhen's local broadcasting infrastructure during the city's transformation into a Special Economic Zone. Before that development, Shenzhen did not have a local television station. Because the area is adjacent to Hong Kong, residents could receive some Hong Kong television services with directional antennas, but local broadcasting capacity was initially limited. In 1978, Baoan County established a television transmitting station at Wutong Mountain. The facility began operating in 1980 with a 300-watt transmitter relaying Guangdong Television programming, and its power was later raised to 10 kilowatts in 1981. The establishment of Shenzhen Television followed approval from China's national broadcasting authority in August 1982. Experimental transmissions began in January 1984, although the schedule had to be adjusted because of broadcasts from Shenzhen Radio and Television University. Regular service began later that year using a French-imported transmitter on UHF channel 33. These developments formed part of the institutional foundation from which Shenzhen's larger radio and television organization emerged. SZMG's operating model combines traditional broadcast distribution with newer digital and international communication functions. Its television and radio outlets provide locally oriented news and entertainment while also carrying music and talk programming. In July 2023, the group launched an international communication center, indicating an effort to package and distribute Shenzhen-related information to audiences beyond the city's conventional local broadcast footprint. The group also operates Zhinews, also referred to as Straight News, an online news service. The organization has also pursued activity outside mainland China's core broadcasting market. In 2009, South African fixed-line telecommunications operator Telkom stated that it had sold its majority stake in the start-up broadcaster Telkom Media to the Shenzhen group. The transaction followed negotiations reported to have been under way since at least 2008 and represented an international media investment by SZMG or an associated Shenzhen media entity. SZMG should be understood primarily as a municipal and regional public-media institution rather than as a consumer-facing commercial brand. Its role is tied to Shenzhen's local information system and to the broader Chinese state media structure. The available reference material does not identify a public listing, a separate commercial parent company, a current executive roster or a definitive founding year for the group itself.
History
Shenzhen's broadcasting history is closely connected with the city's development as a Special Economic Zone and with its geographic proximity to Hong Kong. Before the creation of a local television service, Shenzhen lacked its own television station. Residents in the area could receive some Hong Kong channels by using Yagi-Uda directional antennas, but this was reception of outside programming rather than a locally operated broadcasting system. The first important infrastructure step came in May 1978, when Baoan County established a television transmitting station at Wutong Mountain. Construction and installation work were completed on 1 March 1980. The station initially used a 300-watt transmitter on channel 10 to relay programming from Guangdong Television's channel 2. As Shenzhen's population and economic importance grew, the station's transmission power was increased to 10 kilowatts on 1 October 1981, expanding the practical reach of the service. The creation of a dedicated Shenzhen television service received approval from China's national film, radio and television authority on 19 August 1982. Experimental broadcasts on channel 10 began on 1 January 1984. These early transmissions did not operate on an entirely uninterrupted schedule, because broadcasts from Shenzhen Radio and Television University also used part of the available airtime. The service moved into regular broadcasting on 1 November 1984, using a transmitter imported from France and broadcasting on UHF channel 33. The local television service subsequently formed part of the broader radio and television structure represented by Shenzhen Media Group. The group is described as a state media company based in Shenzhen and controlled by the Propaganda Department of the Shenzhen Municipal Committee of the Chinese Communist Party. Its reported broadcast portfolio comprises twelve television channels and four radio stations. The stations provide news, music, Chinese-language talk shows and other entertainment and information programming, giving the organization a substantial local-media presence. Over time, the group's scope expanded beyond conventional terrestrial broadcasting. It operates the online news service Zhinews, also known as Straight News, and in July 2023 launched an international communication center. These developments reflect the wider shift among Chinese municipal media organizations toward web distribution, digital publishing and more deliberate communication with overseas audiences. The group has also been associated with an international media investment. In May 2009, South African fixed-line telecommunications company Telkom announced that it had sold its majority holding in the start-up broadcaster Telkom Media to the Shenzhen group. Reporting indicated that the parties had been negotiating since at least March 2008. The transaction placed Shenzhen-linked media capital in a South African broadcasting venture, although the available reference does not provide detailed information about the subsequent performance or ownership history of Telkom Media. The available material does not establish a single formal founding date for Shenzhen Media Group itself, identify a founder or provide a current list of executives. Its historical roots are instead documented through the creation and expansion of Shenzhen's local television infrastructure, beginning with the Baoan transmitting station and culminating in a large municipal broadcasting and digital-media organization.
- 2023
International Communication Center is launched
[1]Shenzhen Media Group launched an international communication center and continued operating the online outlet Zhinews, also called Straight News.
- 2009
Acquisition of a majority stake in Telkom Media
[1]South African telecommunications operator Telkom said it had sold its majority stake in the start-up broadcaster Telkom Media to the Shenzhen group.
- 1984
Experimental and regular television broadcasting begin
[1]Experimental broadcasts began on 1 January, followed by regular broadcasts on 1 November using a French-imported transmitter on UHF channel 33.
- 1982
Shenzhen Television receives approval
[1]China's national film, radio and television authority approved the creation of Shenzhen Television on 19 August.
- 1981
Transmission power is increased
[1]The transmitting station's power was raised to 10 kilowatts, extending the reach of the local relay service.
- 1980
Initial relay transmission begins
[1]The Wutong Mountain facility was completed on 1 March and began relaying Guangdong Television programming with a 300-watt transmitter on channel 10.
- 1978
Baoan County establishes a television transmitting station
[1]Baoan County set up a television transmitting station at Wutong Mountain, providing an early foundation for Shenzhen's local broadcasting infrastructure.
Products and positioning
Shenzhen's principal municipal broadcasting and media organization, combining local television and radio operations with digital news and international communication services.
Broadcast television
Television channels
Shenzhen Media Group operates twelve television channels serving Shenzhen and related audiences. The television portfolio supports local news and information distribution alongside entertainment and Chinese-language talk programming. The available reference material does not identify each channel by name or provide separate programming schedules.
Radio broadcasting
Radio stations
The group operates four radio stations. Their reported output includes music, news and Chinese-language talk content, giving SZMG an audio platform alongside its television operations. Specific station names, formats and launch dates are not established in the available reference.
Online news
Zhinews / Straight News
Zhinews, also referred to as Straight News, is an online news service operated by Shenzhen Media Group. It extends the group's information activities beyond scheduled radio and television broadcasts. The available source does not specify its launch date, language portfolio or detailed editorial structure.
International media communication · 2023
International Communication Center
Launched in July 2023, the International Communication Center is a group initiative focused on communicating Shenzhen-related information to international audiences. It represents SZMG's move toward organized overseas-facing distribution in addition to its established local broadcasting role.
Controversies
Brand decisions
2023
Expansion into international communicationStrategyBackground
SZMG's traditional base consisted of local television and radio broadcasting, while its digital activities included the Zhinews or Straight News service.
Action taken
The group launched an international communication center in July 2023.
Aftermath
The launch broadened the group's stated communication infrastructure toward overseas audiences. No further operating or audience data is provided in the available source.
2009
International investment in Telkom MediaM&ABackground
South African fixed-line telecommunications operator Telkom had been negotiating with a Shenzhen-linked media buyer since at least 2008 regarding its stake in the start-up broadcaster Telkom Media.
Action taken
Telkom stated in May 2009 that it had sold its majority stake in Telkom Media to the Shenzhen group.
Aftermath
The available reference confirms the reported transaction but does not provide sufficient information about Telkom Media's later ownership, operations or financial results.
Recent events
- 2023
Shenzhen Media Group launches an international communication center[1]
Product launch
Shenzhen Media Group established an international communication center as part of its effort to distribute Shenzhen-related information and media content to audiences outside its traditional local broadcasting market.
- 2009
Shenzhen group acquires majority stake in Telkom Media[1]
M&A
South African telecommunications operator Telkom said it had sold its majority stake in the start-up broadcaster Telkom Media to the Shenzhen group. The transaction followed negotiations that had reportedly begun no later than 2008.
Sources2 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/shenzhen-media-group · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled