Rise of Great Nations or Great Powers?—reflections on Da Guo Jue Qi

Abstract

The study of world history in China had never been a popular enterprise until the broadcast of Da Guo Jue Qi (The Rise of Great Nations), which turned the field into a blockbuster overnight. First aired on the Economic Channel of China Central Television network (CCTV-2) in November 2006, the 12-part documentary series on world history became an instant hit, gluing millions of viewers to television screen forty-five minutes every night for about two weeks. Three weeks after the first show, a rerun was ordered in response to viewers' demands. The show was followed by waves of media reports, commentaries and online discussion. Even The New York Times and BBC joined the frenzy. At the time when Chinese viewers have become fastidious, the popularity enjoyed by the series came as a surprise to many, especially historians.