Hunan Satellite TV, the first Chinese mainland station to launch popular Chinese version of "American Idol" singing contest, has won approval for a 2007 season.

The new season will be an all-male affair with contestants vying for the title "Happy Boys," instead of the previously reported "Super Boys," the Beijing Times newspaper reports.

The past three years' contests by Hunan TV in Central China were all-female versions titled "Super Girls," and proved an absolute phenomenon.

While China has several pop idol-style shows, "Super Girls" is the leader, with the 2006 final attracting an audience of 400 million viewers.

No reason was given for the name change from "Super Boys" to "Happy Boys" but sources close to the situation said that the producer E.E. Media and the organizer Hunan TV could face losses by not keeping the "Super" brand.

 
(CRI March 23, 2007)