Friday is Chinese New Year’s Eve, and celebrations are underway, including a televised New Year’s countdown. For a sense of just how big this is: more than 115 million people watched and streamed Super Bowl 50 last year, but one billion people are expected to watch the Lunar New Year Gala in China.
The festivities are a dazzling feast for the eyes, with over-the-top pomp that demands attention, a frenetic mix of dancers, athletes and singers, reports CBS News correspondent Adriana Diaz. She went behind the scenes to see how it all comes together.
“This show is one of a kind,” said Yang Dongsheng, the TV special’s chief director and architect. “We have a wide range of routines to try appeal to everyone.”
That range, of course, extends beyond the flashy stage. Propaganda, which has gained prominence under current President Xi Jinping, is also on display.
