26-003 · EVIDENCE A · SOURCE-SENSITIVE
Obtaining a license for online cultural activities is required to run live streams; private companies rarely qualify for the permit needed to distribute audiovisual content
做直播要网络文化经营许可证，做视听节目的那张证民营基本拿不到
The so-called “Online Cultural Activities License” governs whether one may earn money via live streams or game commentary. It is issued by provincial-level cultural authorities within 20 days of application and remains valid for three years, after which renewal must be requested at least 30 days prior to expiration. The separate Audiovisual Content Distribution License determines eligibility to publish programs online; it mandates that applicants be wholly state-owned or state-controlled entities — private firms essentially cannot obtain it.
To host live streams or game commentary sessions, you must secure a provincial-level Online Cultural Activities License that explicitly lists “online performances” among its permitted activities. Approval is granted within 20 days, and the license stays valid for three years. All recorded streams must be retained for a minimum of 60 days. Operating without this license results in immediate suspension, warnings, and fines up to 30,000 RMB; repeat offenders face inclusion on a cultural industry blacklist. A separate permit is required to distribute audiovisual content online, and only state-owned or state-controlled organizations may qualify for it.
A
Move “Obtaining a license for online cultural activities is required to run live streams; private companies rarely qualify for the permit needed to distribute audiovisual content” to Future Me's calendar
The excuse
The routine already works until the day the source says it may not.
What feels good now
Today I keep a little money, a few minutes and avoid interrupting my default routine.
What the source says
The source summarizes the return this way: “To host live streams or game commentary sessions, you must secure a provincial-level Online Cultural Activities License that explicitly lists “online performances” among its permitted activities. Approval is granted within 20 days, and the license stays valid for three years. All recorded streams must be retained for a minimum of 60 days. Operating without this license results in immediate suspension, warnings, and fines up to 30,000 RMB; repeat offenders face inclusion on a cultural industry blacklist. A separate permit is required to distribute audiovisual content online, and only state-owned or state-controlled organizations may qualify for it.” Evidence grade A. The original states the population, caveats, and sources; this is not a personal forecast.
Use the original facts and limits. For an urgent medical, safety, financial, or legal issue, contact a qualified local professional or service.
THE ENGLISH EDITION
Original recommendation and evidence
3. Obtaining a license for online cultural activities is required to run live streams; private companies rarely qualify for the permit needed to distribute audiovisual content
Cost: The so-called “Online Cultural Activities License” governs whether one may earn money via live streams or game commentary. It is issued by provincial-level cultural authorities within 20 days of application and remains valid for three years, after which renewal must be requested at least 30 days prior to expiration. The separate Audiovisual Content Distribution License determines eligibility to publish programs online; it mandates that applicants be wholly state-owned or state-controlled entities — private firms essentially cannot obtain it.
In plain terms: To host live streams or game commentary sessions, you must secure a provincial-level Online Cultural Activities License that explicitly lists “online performances” among its permitted activities. Approval is granted within 20 days, and the license stays valid for three years. All recorded streams must be retained for a minimum of 60 days. Operating without this license results in immediate suspension, warnings, and fines up to 30,000 RMB; repeat offenders face inclusion on a cultural industry blacklist. A separate permit is required to distribute audiovisual content online, and only state-owned or state-controlled organizations may qualify for it.
Benefit: Securing the proper licensing framework ensures legal operation within China’s digital media sector while avoiding punitive measures. Compliance safeguards both business continuity and reputation by adhering to stringent regulatory standards governing online cultural activities and audiovisual distribution.
Evidence grade: A
Notes: Detailed licensing requirements are comprehensively outlined in official directives issued by seven government departments. Platforms monetizing live streams must additionally secure ICP registration — a mandatory filing process administered by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. Entities distributing audiovisual content must obtain the requisite Audiovisual Content Distribution License or complete applicable registration procedures. News publishers require a separate Internet News Information Service License. Note that the 2011 version of the Interim Provisions on Internet Cultural Management, republished by China’s Government Portal in 2025, remains unamended; current compliance references must be drawn from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism’s latest official texts.
Sources: Ministry of Culture (2016). Measures for the Management of Online Performance Business Activities (Wenshifa [2016] No. 33, Articles 2, 4, 6, 13, and 20). <https://zwgk.mct.gov.cn/zfxxgkml/scgl/202012/t20201206_918194.html>; Ministry of Culture (2011). Interim Provisions on Internet Culture Management (Ministry of Culture Order No. 51, revised in 2017 by Ministry of Culture Order No. 57, Articles 7, 8, 9, 16, 21, 28). <https://zwgk.mct.gov.cn/zfxxgkml/zcfg/bmgz/202012/t20201204_905340.html>; State Administration of Radio, Film and Television, Ministry of Information Industry (2007). Regulations on the Administration of Internet Audiovisual Program Services (Order No. 56, revised in 2015, Articles 2, 7, 8, and 24). <https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/2022-08/23/content_5722664.htm>; Cyberspace Administration of China and seven other departments (2021). Guiding Opinions on Strengthening the Standardized Management of Online Live Broadcasting (State Information Office [2021] No. 3, Item 9). <https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/zhengceku/2021-02/10/content_5586472.htm>
Source links
Read the complete Chinese source and notes
3. 做直播要网络文化经营许可证，做视听节目的那张证民营基本拿不到
成本: 网络文化经营许可证俗称网文证，它管的是「能不能靠直播、游戏解说这类网络表演赚钱」。由省级文化行政部门审批，受理后 20 日内给结果，有效期 3 年，到期前 30 日去续办。视听节目许可管的是「能不能在网上放节目」，它要求申请人是国有独资或者国有控股单位
说人话: 做直播、做游戏解说，要省级文化部门发的网络文化经营许可证。证上的经营范围里得写明网络表演。受理后 20 日内出结果，证管 3 年。播过的视频自己要留满 60 天。没办证就开张，会被叫停、警告，再罚 3 万元以下，不停就上黑名单。
收益: 做网络表演的单位要先办证。法规原话是「应当根据《互联网文化管理暂行规定》，向省级文化行政部门申请取得《网络文化经营许可证》，许可证的经营范围应当明确包括网络表演」。打游戏给人看、给人讲解的也按这一套管，法规原话是「参照本办法进行管理」。所有网络表演的视频资料，「保存时间不得少于60日」，播过的视频你要自己留满 60 天。没批准就做经营性互联网文化活动的，责令停止、给予警告，再罚 3 万元以下。叫了还不停的，列入文化市场黑名单。在网上放节目是另一张证，「应当取得《信息网络传播视听节目许可证》」。申请人要「具备法人资格，为国有独资或国有控股单位」，必须是国家全资或者国家控股的单位，民营公司基本拿不到。没这张证就做的，予以警告、责令改正，可以再罚 3 万元以下。情节严重的，按广播电视管理条例处罚（全国）
证据等级: A
来源: 文化部 (2016). 网络表演经营活动管理办法（文市发〔2016〕33 号，第二、四、六、十三、二十条）. <https://zwgk.mct.gov.cn/zfxxgkml/scgl/202012/t20201206_918194.html> ; 文化部 (2011). 互联网文化管理暂行规定（文化部令第 51 号，2017 年经文化部令第 57 号修订，第七、八、九、十六、二十一、二十八条）. <https://zwgk.mct.gov.cn/zfxxgkml/zcfg/bmgz/202012/t20201204_905340.html> ; 广电总局、信息产业部 (2007). 互联网视听节目服务管理规定（第 56 号令，2015 年修订，第二、七、八、二十四条）. <https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/2022-08/23/content_5722664.htm> ; 国家网信办等七部门 (2021). 关于加强网络直播规范管理工作的指导意见（国信办发文〔2021〕3 号，第 9 项）. <https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/zhengceku/2021-02/10/content_5586472.htm>
备注: 哪种业务配哪张证，七部门那份文件写得最清楚。靠直播赚钱的平台，要网文证加 ICP 备案，ICP 备案就是网站在工信部登记的那道手续。在网上放节目的，要视听证，或者完成登记。发新闻的，要互联网新闻信息服务许可证。另外，中国政府网 2025 年转发的《互联网文化管理暂行规定》登的是 2011 年未修订的原文，引用要以文化和旅游部的现行文本为准
YOUR PRIVATE LIST