“Digital Switchover” inChina，launched in 2003，is an encompassing process involving culture，technology，policy，market，region and individuals. With this socio-historical concern inmind，the paper aims to employ a “de-media-centric” perspective in pursuit ofalternative interpretations of the digital transition of cable TV system inMainland China. The following dimensions of the hitherto transition processwill be discussed：firstly，how a single role of cable TV network as equally-distributedpublic service and social welfare has been transformed into a unevendevelopment underpinned by capital accumulation；secondly，in the course oftransformation，the extent to which various forms of capital and social classeshave been included or excluded，meanwhile，how to understand the roles of theChinese State to legitimize and regulate the emerging digital industries and tomobilize the general public to defend a better digital future. It is argued inthis paper that despite the passing of material carrier of traditionaltelevision due to the mutual-enhancement of market and technology，the powerrelation and social structure surrounding traditional television is still a keyfactor in shaping the future of television in China. The paper is based on along-term observation of both the policy documents and the experiments of pilotcities（e.g. Qingdao）for China’s “Digital Switchover”.