China Media Group (CMG)'s 2026 Online Spring Festival Gala premiered at 8 p.m. on February 10, simulcast on CCTV-1, CCTV-3, CCTV.com, and other new media platforms. Centered on the theme of "Kai Xin" – a homonym of "happy" in Chinese that also suggests opening up new chapters – the show adopts an upgraded narrative framework that fuses cutting-edge technology with humanistic expression, offering audiences an immersive audio-visual gathering that transcends time and space.

The gala shines a spotlight on working people, inviting representatives from a wide range of fields to share their stories and present a moving tableau of individuals advancing in step with the times. In terms of content design, it focuses on giving traditional culture a contemporary interpretation. By integrating digital technology and innovative staging with elements of intangible cultural heritage, it tells the story of China's deep historical legacy through the lens of a new generation.

Technological elements are woven deeply into the show's structure and storytelling. AI, XR and virtual production not only create a visual spectacle where reality and the virtual world intersect, but also serve as key creative partners that drive the plot and carry ideas. The "Cross-Time Inn" story that runs throughout the program is brought to life through virtual production technology, enabling seamless travel between the physical stage and digital spaces and enhancing the gala's overall sense of immersion and narrative appeal. Amid the lively, festive atmosphere of the holiday season, it conveys warmth and encouragement, and channels an uplifting "Kai Xin" energy oriented toward the future.