JTBC
JTBC is a South Korean nationwide pay television network. Its primary shareholder is JoongAng Holdings, with a 25% stake. It was launched on December 1, 2011. JTBC is a generalist channel, with programming consisting of television series, variety shows, and news broadcasting; its news division is held in similar regard to the three main terrestrial networks in South Korea.
In 2011, JTBC was one of four new South Korean nationwide generalist cable TV networks alongside The Dong-A Ilbos Channel A, The Chosun Ilbos TV Chosun and Maeil Business Newspapers MBN. They serve as supplementary networks to the existing conventional free-to-air TV networks like KBS, MBC, SBS and other smaller channels launched following deregulation in 1990.
History
Origins of the network can be traced back to 1964, when JoongAng Ilbo, then a part of Samsung, founded the Tongyang Broadcasting Corporation and ran the network for 16 years until it was forced to merge with the state-run KBS by the military regime of Chun Doo-hwan in 1980.At its founding in 2011, some media analysts considered the return of JoongAng Ilbo to television in JTBC as the reincarnation of TBC. JoongAng Ilbo wanted to reuse the name Tongyang Broadcasting Corporation, but failed because Taegu Broadcasting Corporation has held the rights to TBC in South Korea since 1994.
;Timeline
- June 26, 1964: Tongyang Broadcasting Corporation launches.
- December 7, 1964: TBC-TV starts broadcasting on channel 7.
- November 30, 1980: TBC-TV merges with KBS Television by the special law of Chun Doo-hwan, president of military authorities, resulting in the launch of KBS 2TV.
- July 22, 2009: Amendment of the media law was passed by the national assembly to deregulate the media market of South Korea. It was a response from the South Korean government to the Chojoongdong, which were the major media conglomerates, aiming to launch the cable market.
- December 31, 2010: JTBC, TV Chosun, MBN, and Channel A are selected as "general cable television channel broadcasters".
- March 11, 2011: JoongAng Ilbo establishes the JTBC corporation.
- December 1, 2011: JTBC starts broadcasting on channel 15.
- May 2013: Former MBC news anchor Sohn Suk-hee is designated as JTBC's new president for its news division.
- January 2015: JTBC constructs a new building in Digital Media City in Sangam-dong, Seoul.
- November 2018: Sohn Suk-hee is promoted to JTBC's president and CEO.
- June 2019: JTBC acquires the Korean rights to the Olympic Games from 2026 to 2032.
- April 2020: JTBC moves its newscasts to Creation Hall, starting with JTBC Newsroom, with its other programs following suit on May 18.
- June 2021: JTBC buys a majority stake in production company Wiip from Creative Artists Agency.
Programs
- News programs including JTBC Newsroom, After News 5 and Newsroom Now, Sangam-Dong Class
- JTBC dramas hold 9 spots of the 50, including The World of the Married being the highest-rated cable drama on the list of highest-rated Korean dramas in cable television, surpassing JTBC's previous record with SKY Castle.
- Cultural productions such as Begin Again and Ssulzun
- Variety shows including Knowing Bros, Let's Eat Dinner Together, Traveler, and more.
Viewership ratings
- The table below lists the top 10 dramas with the highest average audience share ratings, corresponding episode with highest rating and the date.
| Ranking | Drama | Episodes | Highest Nielsen Korea Nationwide Rating | Cable Channel Ratings Ranking | Date | Airing Period |
| 1 | The World of the Married | 16 | 28.371% | May 16, 2020 | Fridays and Saturdays | |
| 2 | Reborn Rich | 16 | 26.948% | December 25, 2022 | Fridays to Sundays | |
| 3 | Sky Castle | 20 | 23.779% | February 1, 2019 | Fridays and Saturdays | |
| 4 | Doctor Cha | 16 | 18.546% | June 4, 2023 | Saturdays and Sundays | |
| 5 | Itaewon Class | 16 | 16.548% | March 21, 2020 | Fridays and Saturdays | |
| 6 | Agency | 16 | 16.044% | February 26, 2023 | Saturdays and Sundays | |
| 7 | King the Land | 16 | 13.789% | August 6, 2023 | Saturdays and Sundays | |
| 8 | The Tale of Lady Ok | 16 | 13.575% | November 30, 2024 | Saturdays and Sundays | |
| 9 | Welcome to Samdal-ri | 16 | 12.399% | January 21, 2024 | Saturdays and Sundays | |
| 10 | The Lady in Dignity | 20 | 12.065% | August 19, 2017 | Fridays and Saturdays |
- 「Ratings」data sourced from Nielsen Korea nationwide rating of cable channel, with the inclusion of occasional advertisement