Why are cdramas being split into two?

I notice this new trend, splitting long dramas into two parts, part 1 and part 2.

On MDL this means that each part has its own page instead of the whole drama.

Immortal Samsara: Part 1 
Immortal Samsara: Part 2 
Love Like the Galaxy: Part 1 
Love Like the Galaxy: Part 2 
The Blue Whisper: Part 1   
The Blue Whisper: Part 2   

These are not two seasons released in different years, the episodes are aired one after another with no intermittence.

Strange.

They have decided in 2020 that shows should not be over 40 episodes, ideal goal would be 30 to achieve good content (Makes zero sense, like most of their rules) It did not apply to shows already in the can or in production. So we’re really starting to see that rule being implemented now. 

 ArniA:

Who decided?

The ruling body over entertainment. I don’t remember the title of the committee. . It’s an easy search. Just check. i did a search because some were saying it started in 2020 and others on 2022.  It the decision was effective immediately. It just took two years to catch up to  long dramas.  

 skyfleurette:

They have decided in 2020 that shows should not be over 40 episodes, ideal goal would be 30 to achieve good content (Makes zero sense, like most of their rules) It did not apply to shows already in the can or in production. So we’re really starting to see that rule being implemented now. 

Ah, the censorship committee. 

 ArniA:

This is HUGE news if cdrama cannot be more than 40 episodes. I think 90% of my cdrama is  about 50-100 episodes.

Those are old dramas that still were able to have more than 40 episodes. All the newer dramas have less than that, or are split into parts and seasons, so as to go around that rule.

To quote some reasons for new regulations brought upon back then =
"Regulators hope that this new restriction will help improve the quality of TV dramas."
"Puts a limit on how much actors can be paid for their roles."
"Actors’ salaries must not exceed 40% of total production cost."
"To promote a “serious and rigorous creative style""
"To prevent producers that “rush to shoot without sufficient preparation” and turn out low-quality shows"

Here are some articles from back in 2020 when this was implemented, and this new regulation set by the National Radio and Television Administration (NRTA) in China, came into effect on February 6, 2020  =
Chinese = HK01.com
English = TechNode.com
English = TheDrum.com
English = JayneStars.com

Which is also why you will see a lot of shows that have not yet finished production, but were announced some time ago, when they're nearing the end of their production period, the episode count keeps getting cut down on various sites, so as to fit this new regulation. Those who have announced 80 or more episodes, will look into splitting them into parts, and then cutting more episodes from each part, so the transition between the parts is better and more fluid. So you will have one season around 35 episodes, and then another with around 15 episodes, or one with 28 and another with 28 too.