The Beijing city skyline, including the China Central Television CCTV tower.Ed Jones/AFP/Getty Images

The twisted-doughnut-shaped China Central Television Tower has in recent years become an iconic part of Beijing’s skyline and a symbol of the capital’s transformation into a modern metropolis ahead of the 2008 Olympics.

However, the building–nicknamed “Big Pants” for its design akin to trousers–has remained largely empty and has yet to transmit a live-news broadcast, according to CCTV employees familiar with the matter.

That could all change next month when the broadcaster’s English-language news channel, CCTV International, finally moves into the headquarters. According to a memo sent to employees on Friday and reviewed by The Wall Street Journal, the channel plans to move into the new building between Nov. 15-30.

A CCTV spokeswoman didn’t reply to a request for comment. The head of CCTV International declined to comment.....Continue Reading

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