(Yicai Global) Feb. 14 -- China's copyright regulator has reminded would-be miscreants of a ban on unauthorized streaming of CCTV's 2018 Spring Festival Gala, a popular annual variety show that the state broadcaster airs on Feb. 15, the eve of the lunar new year.

Beijing-based CCTV International Network Co. has exclusive rights for the show and has also granted broadcast rights to streaming platforms Tencent Video, iQiyi, Youku, and Sina Weibo, the National Copyright Administration of China said on its website. Unauthorized operators are not allowed to live-stream the show or make it available on demand. Illegal download links to the gala are also prohibited.

The regulator calls on cloud operators to take effective measures against users illegally uploading, storing or sharing the show, while internet service providers should stop users from spreading any unauthorized content on blogs or on WeChat. Anyone found to be providing content related to the gala illegally will be punished according to the law, the NCAC added.

The watchdog released similar documents before the festivals in 2016 and 2017, emphasizing the protection of intellectual property rights for the show.