The Shanghai Media Group (SMG), the major rival of China's Central Television (CCTV), has received the country's first license for promising Internet Protocol (IP) video service, according to China's General Administration of Radio, Film and TV (GARFT).

The license approved SMG to operate IP video service through TV sets and mobile equipment like cellphones. It means that the station is authorized to broadcast its own TV programs or introduced programs through the IP network, reported Wednesday's The Beijing News.

The station established two companies responsible for TV receivers and mobile receivers such as cellphones.

An IP TV company under CCTV had been allowed to operate pay-TV programs through the IP network last February, but it was not approved to broadcast its programs via mobile phones. It launched its IP TV service in five additional provinces this week, totaling to eight provinces.