The TV broadcasting world in China is about to be turned upside down. The Xinhua writes that "since the Shanghai Media Group got China's first license of IPTV service this month, major broadcasters and telecom operators have been agitated by the breakthrough in this potentially lucrative field."

The new license opens the door for telecom companies to reach out with TV broadcasting services on TV sets, mobile phones, and computers. Previously no traditional cable company could touch all those markets.

China's State Administration of Radio Film and Television (SARFT) gave SMG a nationwide IPTV license and a license to broadcast television programs to mobile phones two months ago, the top media regulator said Monday in a statement posted on its Web site.

The China IPTV market has great potential and companies ranging from telecoms to hardware and software providers are all watching it closely. Broadcasters are also diving all over the new opportunities. According to Xinhua, "In order to meet the increasing demand of TV broadcasters, foreign broadcasters have been allowed to set up joint ventures to produce and sell TV programs, according the a temporary regulation of SARFT."

With China having about 26.3 million broadband Internet customers, a figure analysts expect to climb to about 100 million in 2008 and China's mobile phone users surpassing 349 million in March, China will definitely be a country to watch as its IPTV market continues to develop.

In order to meet the increasing demand of TV broadcasters, foreign broadcasters have been allowed to set up joint ventures to produce and sell TV programs, according the a temporary regulation of SARFT.

Read further details at Xinhua.