SHANGHAI, Sept. 26 -- "Red Question Mark" was banned because it is a "vulgar" television series that focused on crimes conducted by women, said the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television on its Website.

The move is part of efforts to crackdown on tasteless TV programs.

The TV series, produced in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, displayed women's crimes in a vulgar way, which had adverse effects on society, the agency said on its Website.

The administration ordered all TV stations to stop broadcasting the series and avoid similar programs in the future.

The TV series has been broadcast in Beijing, Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Hunan for three years, earning top ratings.

The move follows the administration's limits on reality TV programs.

The administration published a long list of rules on its Website on Friday, banning such programs from prime time, live broadcasts and voting by phone or the Internet.