In the 1980s, a privately run distribution system (the "second channel") was established in an effort to break down these state-imposed restrictions. Although later governments would retroactively acknowledge the legitimacy of this second channel, upstream portions of the industry were entirely dominated and controlled by Beijing. Unable to develop and thrive on the meager profits that they could secure, the second channel became a hotbed of piracy.
一九八○年代，為了尋求突破，民間自辦的發行系統（二渠道）應運而生，雖然後來政府追認其合法性，無奈上游的內容出版業務仍然由官方全面壟斷，微薄的批發利潤難以發展出健全的體系，二渠道也成了盜版的溫床。