It is the longest-running television award ceremony in China as well as the highest government honor in the industry.

[2] The awards were first held in 1981 and presented by the Ministry of Culture of the People's Republic of China.

The event was subsequently taken over by the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television and the Motion Picture and Arts Committee of China.

It initially separated the winning productions by length (serial drama, mid-length, miniseries), with each category awarding shows based on first-class (一等奖), second-class (二等奖), and third-class (三等奖) honours.

[citation needed] From 2015 onwards, productions have been awarded based on genres, including historical, contemporary, and significant events only.