China‘s version of Pop Idol, Super Girl, was on Friday suspended for one year by the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT).

Li Hao, deputy editor and spokesman of the show’s broadcaster, Hunan Satellite TV, was quoted as saying that the channel will instead “air programmes that promote moral ethics and public safety, and provide practical information for housework”. He added that his channel will not broadcast any talent shows that contain mass participation next year.

The order from the broadcasting watchdog to Hunan TV reportedly stated that the programme had often exceeded its allotted time slot. However, some officials have seen the show as subversive, with audience voting allegedly mirroring Western-style democracy.

This is not the first time the show has faced scrutiny. In 2007, SARFT banned voting by text message, with some officials reportedly concerned that the democratic method of choosing the winner was a bad influence, and others criticising the show as “profane” and “unhealthy”. In the same year, SARFT also ordered talent shows not be shown during prime time (between 7:30pm and 10:30pm) or screened for more than two hours a day.

Launched in 2004, Super Girl has been wildly popular. At its peak in 2005, up to 400 million viewers tuned in for the final and voted for their favourite contestants via text messaging and phone polls.