This study examines how women were portrayed in prime time Chinese television series from 1979 to 2008. It investigates whether female characters' occupations and occupational status changed over time. It then compares the occupational distributions of the female characters on TV with female occupations in real life.

A content analysis of 63 prime time TV series depicting 298 women in contemporary Chinese society was conducted to determine whether the programs reinforced or challenged female stereotypes.

The findings show female characters in TV series had a variety of occupations over three decades. However, they were rarely portrayed as having top management power in the workplace. In addition, the variety and type of occupations shown in the TV series only partly reflect reality. The results suggest stereotypes of women on television have changed, showing them less dependent and with growing power in society.