You can learn a great deal about a culture and the language of a country by watching its television programming, which I always do.
I enjoy watching Chinese Television. There are about 35 channels with a wide variety of different types of very amusing programming, comedy, variety, period and comtemporary drama, news, travel and food channels, etc. The production values are very impressive, with beautiful locations, stylish sets and costumes, and the acting is quite good because the actors are very well-trained.
If you are interested to see some Chinese or other Asian drama series, here is a website for you: http://www.dramafans.org/
One Chinese drama series that I found to be quite entertaining and beautifully done is called, Dreams Link. It has English subtitles: http://www.dramafans.org/drama/dreams_link
I have to say that Japanese television is amusing and interesting in its very unique Japaneseness, and it offers many key insights to the Japanese culture as well.