近幾年，每到中國新年過後，有越來越多的中國電視觀眾覺得：中央電視臺(CCTV)舉辦的「春晚」節目娛樂功能，往往體現在晚會之後。什麼意思呢？因為，這些年的春晚節目內容，脫離了中國人團圓的傳統主題，成了娛樂版的新聞聯播，在網上，「春晚」已經變成人們嘲弄的對象。
今年兔年的春晚設法「貼近民眾」，找了三個草根，灌進大量的網路語言，然而，這樣的刻意貼近，民眾並不買帳。
北京豐臺區董女士：「央視的都是包裝的都是假的。他們弄的…再精彩，都是假的。」
黑龍江趙先生：「那個春晚，給執政者化妝的東西，我們不看那東西！看了沒用，每年都看都生氣…」
《南方都市報》認為：已經揹負著太多使命、太多包袱的春晚，從導演到演員都繃得過緊的「春晚」，實際上已經貼近不了民眾了。在網上，春晚已經基本變成人們嘲弄的對象。以至於有人說，春晚的娛樂功能，往往體現在晚會之後。
黑龍江趙太太：「政府的體制是牽線的，導演如果不按他們的思路去做的話，他的節目就不可能在中央電視臺播出的。所以說不是導演的責任，也不是演員的責任，就是體制的問題。」
央視春晚從初露頭角，到舉國關注，到日漸式微，但它已經融入了百姓的生活。《濟南日報》認為：支撐著觀眾看下去的已經不再是這個節目本身，而是它本身已經成了某種傳統。這也是央視春晚年年被人罵、年年還能吸引人坐在電視機前的根本原因之一。不過，報導說，曾經代表著舉國歡聚一堂的央視春晚正在逐漸走向「晚春」。
對於重金打造的「春晚」不斷被惡評，作家野夫對《德國之聲》也表示，根本原因就在於中國的審查制度。整個中國的領袖干預文藝，節目不是為老百姓製作的。
中國知名的文化評論人「十年砍柴」認為，現在的「春晚」節目安排得太拙劣，對意識形態和話語權的控制太厲害。例如，非要在其中加入『國泰民安、領導得力』等等，成為一統天下，同一個版本的春晚。
北京市民：「所以我們現在能夠看到動態網、自由門…我們就可以看得清楚一些。」
央視春晚口碑下滑，罵聲不斷，但形成了一枝獨秀的「春晚經濟」。央視6.5億元的廣告贊助收入，成為了最大的買家。門票也能從一個側面反映春晚大買家的秘密。有評論認為，這意味著，繼文化壟斷、演藝資源壟斷、收視壟斷之後，「春晚」在銷售環節的壟斷。
有網友發帖，發現一份「2011年央視春晚贊助商清單及展示清單」，這份清單列出了8項兔年央視春晚植入的廣告！
現在，春晚已經超越了快樂、團圓的傳統主題，成了娛樂版的新聞聯播，成了撈錢、作秀工具。所以網友說：春晚想說愛你不容易呀，你需要改版了。
In recent years, more and more Chinese TV viewers find the drama of CCTV Chinese New Year TV Show is not in the program but in the aftermath. The theme of the show is veered away from traditional celebration and family reunion, turning into an entertaining version of CCTV』s Daily News.Hence, an object of ridicule online.
To show its 「closeness to the people,」 the program used lots of Internet buzzwords.However, people gave it the cold shoulder.
Beijing resident Ms. Dong：「All things of CCTV are packaged up and fake…
Regardless of their brilliance, they are fake.」
Mr. Zhao of Heilongjiang：「It is a make-up show for those in power. We don』t watch that kind of thing! It is useless and makes us all angry every year.」
Southern Metropolis Daily believes, CCTV』s New Year TV show is overburdened
by missions and baggage.From its directors to the actors, all appear nervous.
It is unable to come close to the people now. On the Internet, it has become a laughing stock,as 「its drama is in the aftermath.」
Mrs. Zhao from Heilongjiang：「The system of the regime is a puppet-master.
If the directors don』t do as they』re instructed, their shows cannot be broadcasted on CCTV. So you can』t blame the directors or the actors.
The problem is the system.」
CCTV New Year TV Show used to be China』s focus.Though gradually declining during the past several decades, it has integrated into people's lives. Jinan Daily wrote, it no longer attracts the audience,but people still watch it as it is now a tradition. That』s why the show can still get some audience
although it is criticized every year. The report said, the CCTV New Year Show is withering away.
In regards to criticisms of the expensively-made show,writer Yefu told Deutsche Welle, the fundamental reason lies in China's censorship. The entire ruling elite interfere with the arts.The show is not made for the people.
The well-known Chinese cultural critic, 「Cutting Wood for a Decade」, thinks the programs in CCTV New Year Show are of poor quality, with evident control of ideology and speech. The programs used slogans such as 「effective leadership of officials ensures peace and prosperity.」
Beijing resident: We are able to use Free Gate Net to access more information and see things clearly.
The increasing unpopularity of CCTV New Year Show has drawn waves of criticism,
but it helps bring tons of money. Apart from 650 million yuan in commercials,
tickets sale also revealed that CCTV was the big winner. Some believe that following the cultural monopoly, performing arts resource monopoly and ratings monopoly, the show』s distribution channel is also monopolized.
Netizens posted online the 2011 Show sponsor list.It reveals 8 commercials planted in the show.
The show has gone beyond the traditional theme of family reunion, to become an entertaining version of CCTV Newsand a device for making money and making show.
Netizens commented: CCTV New Year Program, it is not easy to love you. Yeah, you need a revision.
