The 2026 Spring Festival Gala of the China Media Group (CMG) meticulously wove zodiac horse elements throughout its more-than-four-hour show to celebrate the arrival of the 2026 Chinese New Year, which is a Year of the Horse in the 12-animal Chinese zodiac, presenting the audience with an immersive blend of tradition and innovation.
The 2026 Spring Festival Gala bore the theme of "Galloping Steed, Onward Unstoppable," and integrated the theme of the zodiac horse into its stage art and programs. The gala was aired on Monday, the eve of the Chinese New Year this year.
From the opening performance that had digital projections of galloping steeds to horse mascots, the zodiac animal was the centerpiece of the grand evening TV show.
In an interview with China Central Television, the gala's chief director Yu Lei said the creation team studied the zodiac each year to shape the program.
"Every year when we take an assignment for the Spring Festival Gala, we would have to study the Chinese zodiac first. When it comes to a Year of the Horse, the first thought that pops up in our mind is joy. So, from the logo to the theme and the program lineup, we have been thinking about how to use the theme of the zodiac horse," Yu said.
The opening performance set the tone of the gala, followed by performances ranging from pop singer Zhou Shen's "Jiliang, the Auspicious Steed," inspired by mythical horses, to prairie songs by Inner Mongolian artists marking equestrian culture, and to a youthful rendition by young actors that gave the zodiac image a more approachable appeal.
Yu said that the gala also incorporated AI-generated horse designs, weaving them into the grand piece showing the spirit of galloping horses: vitality and resilience.
"This year's gala also incorporated AI-generated creative designs of horses, as well as horse elements in music, traditional culture and fashion, and humorous wordplay. We simply used all of these in every corner of the show and shaped the program lineup into a grand work of galloping horses for the Year of the Horse," Yu said.
The Spring Festival Gala is rated as the world's most-watched TV show celebrating the start of the Chinese New Year. Hosted by the CMG, the Gala is regarded by many as the beating heart of the Chinese New Year's Eve celebrations.
The 2026 Spring Festival Gala has shattered viewership records across the board. By 08:00 Tuesday, the Gala had reached over 23 billion views across Chinese media, with peak online viewership surpassing 400 million. Television ratings soared to their highest in over a decade, and international reach hit an all-time high at 2.4 billion viewers.
CMG Spring Festival Gala delivers horse‑themed cultural spectacle
As another dazzling China Media Group (CMG) Spring Festival Gala drew to a close on early Tuesday morning, sign language performers infused the closing song "Unforgettable Tonight" with heartfelt emotion, allowing viewers with disabilities to share in the celebration and experience every touching note alongside millions of families across China.
For four decades, the final moments of the gala have belonged to "Unforgettable Tonight." For generations, the eve of the Chinese New Year isn't complete until its familiar melody fills living rooms. "Unforgettable Tonight" is not just a song but a cherished tradition that carries the weight of a nation's shared memories and hopes.
Inside a modest rehearsal room, the magic of "barrier-free broadcasting" came alive, as the production team worked to ensure that the visually and hearing-impaired could experience the full energy and emotion of the gala, just like everyone else.
"It might look like sign language is just a set of gestures. But it's so much more. It includes facial expressions, the dynamics, and the tempo of each movement. Every detail expresses the rhythms, melodies, and emotions in the music. As you can see, for this year's 'Unforgettable Tonight' with a lighter tone, the performers made it look effortless, swaying gently as they signed. But if the style changes, so does our signing. We can make it powerful too," said Zhao Zhihui, head of barrier-free broadcasting for the gala.
Last year, the team was challenged by an operatic version of the song, and the sign language mirrored the grandeur: delivered with robust energy and the muscular grace of Chinese opera. But in 2026, the approach was intentionally more intimate. Performers strove to capture even the subtlest change in mood.
"When it was the opera version, our signing was powerful and vigorous, capturing the strength and depth of traditional Chinese opera. This year, we wanted every delicate shift on stage to be fully shared by our visually and hearing-impaired audiences," Zhao shared.
During rehearsal, as the melody of "Unforgettable Tonight" flowed through the room and interpreters began their own choreography, the song revealed a beauty beyond sound and lyrics. Their hands, faces, and movements became a new language of expression, resonating with everyone present.
"It's not really about singing a song. It's about channeling all the emotions we've built up through so many years of the Chinese New Year. The gestures required for this song are simple, just a few basic movements. But every time you perform them, it feels different. Especially the final sign, the emotions are always deeper. Because that moment carries several months of hard work. When you finally succeed and think about 'Unforgettable Tonight,' you realize, what is 'tonight'? It's actually the past months of preparation and effort, all leading to that one final moment when we share the Gala's wonderful performances with every single member of our audience," said Zhao.
Sign language performers bring fresh life to beloved song at Spring Festival Gala
