Currently, stations in all provinces transmit programs by cable instead of microwave, which has greatly improved reception. The switch from microwave to cable happened locally as internal projects, and no attempt was made to link local networks with networks in neighboring provinces. Unfortunately, many of these networks have cost provincial governments considerable amounts of money and yet, most of the available bandwidth remains dark. Little wonder that media analysts regard cable television as virgin territory. Physically connecting disparate networks together is one thing and improving station operations is quite another.
Many local stations are quite anxious about a national cable network.
Indeed, some local station managers assume that their stations' autonomy will be lost. This despair led some managers to discontinue ordinary maintenance and to curtail most other routine investments in their networks. If, then, the state suddenly announces that all these local networks are to become part of a national network, it's easy to understand why the industry is so anxious. Take Zhejiang as an example. Zhejiang has led the country in network construction.