Big Brother to launch in China

China is to get its own version of Big Brother for the first time, with the housemates' exploits to be broadcast on popular video site Youku Tudou.

The reality show, in which contestants are monitored 24 hours a day, has been seen in dozens of countries since launching 15 years ago.

Big Brother's creators Endemol have signed a deal with Youku Tudou, the biggest online video site in China.

The site has 500 million active users, according to a statement.

Big Brother China will launch in early 2015 and will last for 10 weeks.

'Changed television'
Endemol Asia chief executive Arjen van Mierlo said: "We're thrilled to announce this landmark deal with Youku Tudou Inc, bringing a format that has changed the face of television to China for the first time.

"In a market that annually generates hundreds of billions of video views, partnering with the number one digital video platform will allow us to bring Big Brother to a young audience and deliver the most immersive, interactive and unique experience to fans across the nation."

The deal comes three years after the Chinese government ordered satellite TV channels to cut the number of reality TV, dating and talk shows because of their "vulgar tendencies".

Online streaming sites have fewer restrictions than traditional TV channels, but regulators have recently signalled a tightening of control over online video, according to the Associated Press.