Chinese allow recording of landmarks for summer games

After months of negotiation, the Chinese government has finally reached agreement with foreign broadcasters over broadcast rights to landmarks for the 2008 summer games in Beijing. The broadcasters will be allowed unfettered access to various locales in China, including Tiananmen Square, for live news coverage.

The agreement, which came last week during a meeting among broadcasters and Chinese officials, took months of delicate negotiations with broadcasters, including U.S. broadcaster NBC.

The Chinese government’s attempt to control and limit live coverage anywhere but at sports venues had turned into a major problem for rights holding broadcasters.

Some locations, including the Great Wall, will still require special permission. However, Tiananmen Square will be open for live stand-ups on a limited basis for a few hours in the morning and evening.