China discusses Murdoch and AOL media deal

China is in negotiations to let Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation and AOL Time Warner broadcast directly to television audiences in limited areas, the Chinese government’s broadcast authority said Wednesday.

China is in negotiations to let Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation and AOL Time Warner broadcast directly to television audiences in limited areas, the Chinese government’s broadcast authority said today.

A deal would be contingent on the two companies ensuring wide access to the United States for CCTV-9, the English-language channel of China’s main government-controlled television network, said a spokeswoman for the State General Administration of Radio, Film and Television.

If negotiations are successful, China intends to allow AOL and News Corporation to broadcast to households in parts of Guangdong, a booming southern province next to Hong Kong, the official said. She refused to be identified by name.

‘‘We have agreed that they can broadcast in parts of Guangdong, but not all the province. There are limits,’’ she said. ‘‘We hope that the two companies will help us get CCTV-9 - the English channel - into the United States.’’

Allowing one or both firms to broadcast direct to even limited Chinese audiences would be a breakthrough. China’s communist government regards television as a vital propaganda tool and has largely succeeded in keeping tight control of its airwaves.

Foreign programming is aired widely on state-controlled television, particularly provincial and cable channels, and some foreign channels can be received in up-market hotels and luxury housing. But government regulations prohibit foreign broadcasters from reaching Chinese TV audiences directly, the spokeswoman said.

AOL Time Warner and News Corp. would be the first to be allowed to do so, probably through cable, she said.

But she stressed that a precondition for the deal was ensuring that CCTV-9 reaches US audiences.

American movies and TV programming have taught Chinese audiences a lot about the United States, and CCTV-9 could help teach Americans about China, the official said.

‘‘Many Chinese understand the United States, but Americans don’t know much about China,’’ she said. ‘‘This is not good for understanding between our countries.’’