What's On TV in Bhutan?

Less than there used to be, if Bhutan's government has its way. The little Himalayan kingdom, which has had TV only since 1999, is concerned that American professional wrestling is turning a traditional, rural Buddhist society into a gang of goons. That seems unlikely, if for no other reason than 70 percent of Bhutanese still don't have electricity. Nevertheless, the BBC reports that the legislature is considering a bill to regulate programming. (As it happens, the island of St. Helena has had TV only since 1998, with no rise in violence.)

Jib Fowles examined the supposed relationship between American TV and violence for reason here and here, and makes the case for TV violence here.

Thanks to ArtsJournal.

Comments

[D Anghelone]

That seems unlikely, if for no other reason than 70 percent of Bhutanese still don't have electricity.

In Vietnam a community of people might gather at one existing television to see the Armed Forces broadcasts. Batman was apparently funnier when you couldn't follow the dialog. WWE should be similarly transcendent.

[Lil' Jon]

Just like Most Xtreme Elimination on TNN. I had a friend who travelled to Japan often in the late 80's and would always bring back tapes of the original program for me. It was just as funny without the goofy American double-entendre voiceovers.

[brooklyn dave]

Well, I am not going to go into the rant how western comercial culture is ruining traditional societies etc etc....BUT....I really what the Bhutanese would really find funny in American TV shows? Would old episodes of "I LOVE LUCY" have them falling off their stupas in laughter, or would it cause them to have a glazed over, bored to tears look? How would they react to "The Sopranos" or "Sex in the City"? I betcha they'd really appreciate "AB FAB"