Speculation whirs over CCTV consumer protection show's delay

The influential China Central Television program 315 Evening Gala, which usually exposes business misconduct, was 44 minutes late for the first time on Sunday, triggering widespread speculation online.

The gala has aired promptly at 8 pm on March 15 every year since 1991. Coming in conjunction with International Consumer Rights Day, the program is intended to expose business misconduct and help consumers protect their rights.

Problems with many brands were exposed, and some businesses were suspended as a result. One prominent expose involved the sale of expired food by McDonald's. Another was the supermarket chain Carrefour, which was accused of deceiving consumers by selling expired meat, as well as chicken stripped of feathers that it misidentified as free-range chicken, which sells at a higher price.