Television in South Korea


In South Korea, there are a number of national television networks, the three largest of which are KBS, MBC, and SBS. Most of the major television studios are located on Yeouido and Sangam-dong, Seoul. South Korea became the fourth adopter in Asia when television broadcasting began on 12 May 1956 with the opening of HLKZ-TV, a commercially operated television station. HLKZ-TV was established by the RCA Distribution Company in Seoul with 186–192 MHz, 100-watt output, and 525 scanning lines.
Important genres of television shows include serial dramas, historical dramas, variety shows, game shows, news programs, and documentaries. All three networks have produced increasingly lavish historical dramas in recent years. Some South Korean television programs are available on satellite and multicultural channels in foreign countries. South Korean television dramas have been widely popular in other East Asian, South Asian and Southeast Asian countries, and became popularized internationally at a later stage, with whole sets of videotapes or DVDs of series available with completed subtitles in different languages, online subtitle websites are also created by numerous fan clubs to cater to a global audience. Shopping channels have become quite popular in recent years as well, and the models sometimes put on entertaining acts during product pitches.
Most cable operators in South Korea were consolidated into 3 major telecommunication companies, KT, SK Telecom, and LG Uplus. They also operates Internet Protocol television services. There are approximately 14 million cable TV subscribers nationwide. The cable operator provides TPS to its subscribers..

History

Since the beginning of the 1950s, television was introduced to Korea by RCA to sell second-hand black & white TV sets as a marketing scheme. Some TV sets were strategically set up at Pagoda Park, others at the Seoul Station and Gwanghwamun during this time. However it was not until 1956 when South Korea began its own television broadcasting station, the HLKZ-TV, part of the KORCAD. The first ever Korean television drama, 천국의 문 debuted the same year, planning director Choi Chang-Bong spent two and a half months continuously fixing the script, preparing sets and even the first instance of special effects, all for a drama that lasted no longer than fifteen minutes.
The early 1960s saw a phenomenal growth in television broadcasting. On 1 October 1961 the first full-scale television station, HLKA-TV, was established and began operation under the Ministry of Culture and Public Information.
Following KBS was Tongyang Broadcasting Corporation's TBC-TV which was launched in 1964, and ran until merged in 1980. It was the first private television network in South Korea.
The second commercial television system, MBC-TV, made its debut in 1969. The advent of MBC-TV brought significant development to the television industry in Korea and after 1969 the television industry was characterized by furious competition among the three networks.
The 1970s were highlighted by government intervention into the media system in Korea. In 1972, President Park Chung Hee government imposed censorship upon media through the Martial Law Decree. The government revised the Broadcasting Law under the pretext of improving the quality of television programming. After the revision of the law, the government expanded its control of media content by requiring all television and radio stations to review programming before and after transmission. Although the government argued that its action was taken as a result of growing public criticism of broadcasting media practices, many accused the government of wanting to establish a monopoly over television broadcasting.
The 1980s were the golden years for South Korea's television industry. Growth was phenomenal in every dimension: the number of programming hours per week rose from 56 in 1979 to nearly 88.5 in 1989; the number of television stations increased from 12 in 1979 to 78 by 1989; and the number of television sets grew from four million in 1979 to nearly six million in the same period. Despite producing color televisions for export, color television was not officially introduced in the country until late 1980. Color broadcasting, however, occasioned a renewal of strong competition among the networks. However, the South Korean TV industry was also suffered huge blows in this decade. During Chun Doo-hwan's regime, several newspapers, broadcasters and publications were forcibly closed, or were merged into a single organization. One of which is TBC-TV which was awarded to KBS. TBC-TV was then replaced by KBS 2TV. After the country's 1987 democratic reforms, several regulations were imposed to insulate broadcasters from political influence. For example, the National Assembly established the Foundation for Broadcast Culture to insulate MBC from political influence and KBS.
At the beginning of the 1990s, with the introduction of cable television, the government initiated an experimental multi-channel and multi-purpose cable television service. In addition, South Korea launched its first broadcasting/communication satellite, Mugungwha 1, to 36,000 km above the equator in 1995. The development of an integrated broadband network took the form of B-ISDN immediately after the turn of the century. This decade was a period of great technological change in the South Korean broadcasting industry, which made broadcast media even more important than in the past. In this decade the South Korean broadcasting industry added to the service with new technological developments such as DBS, satellites, and interactive cable systems, all of which have allowed South Korea to participate fully in the information society.
On 22 July 2009, after heated political debates, an amendment of the Media Law passed the National Assembly of South Korea to deregulate the media market of South Korea. On 31 December 2010, four general Cable Television networks were licensed.
Analogue television services ended on 31 December 2012.

National networks

In South Korea, there are four nationwide television networks, three general networks and one educational network as follows:
NameChannels
Channels
Channels
LaunchType & Owner
Korean Broadcasting System
한국방송공사
韓國放送公社
HLKA-DTV/UHDTV
HLKC-DTV
HLKA-UHDTV
HLKB-DTV
HLKE-DTV
HLKS-DTV
HLKS-DTV
HLCF-DTV
HLCF-DTV 		Public broadcasting
Government of South Korea
Educational Broadcasting System
한국교육방송공사
韓國敎育放送公社
HLQL-DTV
HLQL-DTV
HLQL-DTV
HLQL-DTV
HLQL-DTV
HLQL-DTV 		Public broadcasting
Government of South Korea
Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation
MBC 네트워크
株式會社文化放送
HLKV-DTV/UHDTV
HLKV-DTV/UHDTV
HLKU-DTV/UHDTV
HLKV-DTV/UHDTV
HLAJ-DTV/UHDTV
HLKV-DTV/UHDTV 		Public/Commercial broadcasting
The Foundation of Broadcast Culture
The Jeongsu Scholarship Foundation
Seoul Broadcasting System
한국민영방송연합
HLSQ-DTV/UHDTV
HLDG-DTV/UHDTV
HLKJ-DTV 		Commercial broadcasting
Seoul Broadcasting System
YTN DMB Network
YTN DMB 네트워크
HLMA-TDMB
HLMA-TDMB
HLDG-TDMB
HLKJ-TDMB 		Commercial broadcasting
YTN Group

List of television channels

All of these are free-to-air channels. Furthermore, all of them are the official digital terrestrial television and ATSC providers of the nation.

Commercial broadcasting channels

In South Korea, many commercial television networks have been created after the deregulation taken in 1961 till 1990.
SBS is responsible in distributing its programming content nationally, but is not responsible for producing local content aired by their affiliates.

MBC Networks Channel

Local broadcasting companies affiliated with MBC Networks originally started as affiliated broadcasting stations in the same way as SBS Networks.
After Policy for Merger and Abolition of the Press, Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation took over 50% of the shares in local broadcasting stations, and all local broadcasting stations became subsidiaries of Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation.
Due to this background, MBC Networks is currently operating simultaneously with the characteristics of public broadcasting and commercial broadcasting.
NameOwnerLaunchCoversGenreDescription
MBC TVMunhwa Broadcasting CorporationSeoul Metropolitan AreaCity news and entertainmentThe Channel's callsign is HLKV-DTV and HLKV-UHDTV.
MBC Network Headquarters
MBC News NowMunhwa Broadcasting CorporationSeoul Metropolitan AreaCity news and entertainmentThe Channel's callsign is HLKV-DTV and HLKV-UHDTV.
MBC Network Headquarters
Chuncheon MBC TVChuncheon Munhwa Broadcasting CorporationNorthern YeongseoLocal entertainment and newsThe Channel's callsign is HLAN-DTV.
Wonju MBC TVWonju Munhwa Broadcasting CorporationSouthern YeongseoLocal entertainment and newsThe Channel's callsign is HLSB-DTV and HLSB-UHDTV.
MBC Gangwon-yeongdong TV MBC Gangwon-yeongdong Broadcasting CorporationNorthern YeongdongLocal entertainment and newsThe Channel's callsign is HLAF-DTV and HLAF-UHDTV.
Formerly known as Gangneung MBC, renamed to MBC Gangwon-yeongdong in 2015.
MBC Gangwon-yeongdong TV MBC Gangwon-yeongdong Broadcasting CorporationSouthern YeongdongLocal entertainment and newsThe Channel's callsign is HLAQ-DTV.
Formerly known as Samcheok MBC, renamed to MBC Gangwon-yeongdong in 2015.
Daejeon MBC TVDaejeon Munhwa Broadcasting CorporationDaejeon, Sejong City and ChungnamLocal entertainment and newsThe Channel's callsign is HLCQ-DTV and HLCQ-UHDTV.
MBC Chungbuk TV MBC Chungbuk Broadcasting CorporationSouthern ChungbukLocal entertainment and newsThe Channel's callsign is HLAX-DTV.
Formerly known as Cheongju MBC, renamed to MBC Chungbuk in 2016.
MBC Chungbuk TV MBC Chungbuk Broadcasting CorporationNorthern ChungbukLocal entertainment and newsThe Channel's callsign is HLAO-DTV.
Formerly known as Chungju MBC, renamed to MBC Chungbuk in 2016.
Gwangju MBC TVGwangju Munhwa Broadcasting CorporationGwangju and Central Northern JeonnamLocal entertainment and newsThe Channel's callsign is HLCN-DTV and HLCN-UHDTV.
Mokpo MBC TVMokpo Munhwa Broadcasting CorporationSouthwest JeonnamLocal entertainment and newsThe Channel's callsign is HLAM-DTV.
Yeosu MBC TVYeosu Munhwa Broadcasting CorporationEastern JeonnamLocal entertainment and newsThe Channel's callsign is HLAT-DTV.
Jeonju MBC TVJeonju Munhwa Broadcasting CorporationJeonbukLocal entertainment and newsThe Channel's callsign is HLCX-DTV.
Daegu MBC TVDaegu Munhwa Broadcasting CorporationDaegu, Midwest Southern GyeongbukLocal entertainment and newsThe Channel's callsign is HLCT-DTV and HLCT-UHDTV.
Andong MBC TVAndong Munhwa Broadcasting CorporationNorthern GyeongbukLocal entertainment and newsThe Channel's callsign is HLAW-DTV.
Pohang MBC TVPohang Munhwa Broadcasting CorporationEast Coast Gyeongbuk.Local entertainment and newsThe Channel's callsign is HLAV-DTV.
Busan MBC TVBusan Munhwa Broadcasting CorporationBusanLocal entertainment and newsThe Channel's callsign is HLKU-DTV and HLKU-UHDTV.
Ulsan MBC TVUlsan Munhwa Broadcasting CorporationUlsanLocal entertainment and newsThe Channel's callsign is HLAU-DTV and HLAU-UHDTV.
MBC Gyeongnam TV MBC Gyeongnam Broadcasting CorporationWestern GyeongnamLocal entertainment and newsThe Channel's callsign is HLAK-DTV
Formerly known as Jinju MBC, renamed to MBC Gyeongnam in 2011.
MBC Gyeongnam TV MBC Gyeongnam Broadcasting CorporationEastern GyeongnamLocal entertainment and newsThe Channel's callsign is HLAP-DTV
Formerly known as Masan MBC / Changwon MBC, renamed to MBC Gyeongnam in 2011.
Jeju MBC TVJeju Munhwa Broadcasting CorporationJejuLocal entertainment and newsThe Channel's callsign is HLAU-DTV.
Formerly known as Namyang MBC, renamed to Jeju MBC in 1984.

SBS Networks Channel

SBS, which was originally established as an independent broadcasting station, was established in 1995 by PSB, CJB, TBC, and TJB, and SBS Networks was created around SBS.
Currently, 9 broadcasting stations are affiliated.
NameOwnerLaunchCoversGenreDescription
SBS TVSBS Media HoldingsSeoul Capital AreaCity news and entertainmentThe Channel's callsign is HLSQ-DTV and HLSQ-UHDTV
SBS Network Headquarters
KNNKorea New NetworkBusan and GyeongnamLocal entertainment and newsThe Channel's callsign is HLDG-DTV and HLDG-UHDTV.
Formerly known as PSB Pusan Broadcasting, renamed to KNN in 2006.
TBCDaegu Broadcasting CorporationDaegu and GyeongbukLocal entertainment and newsThe Channel's callsign is HLDE-DTV and HLDE-UHDTV.
KBCKwangju Broadcasting CorporationGwangju and JeonnamLocal entertainment and newsThe Channel's callsign is HLDH-DTV and HLDH-UHDTV.
TJBTaejon Broadcasting CorporationDaejeon, Sejong City and ChungnamLocal entertainment and newsThe Channel's callsign is HLDF-DTV and HLDF-UHDTV.
UBCUlsan Broadcasting CorporationUlsan, eastern part of South GyeongsangLocal entertainment and newsThe Channel's callsign is HLDP-DTV and HLDP-UHDTV.
JTVJeonju TelevisionNorth JeollaLocal entertainment and newsThe Channel's callsign is HLDQ-DTV.
CJBCheongju BroadcastingNorth ChungcheongLocal entertainment and newsThe Channel's callsign is HLDR-DTV.
G1Gangwon No.1 BroadcastingGangwonLocal entertainment and newsThe Channel's callsign is HLCG-DTV and HLCG-UHDTV.
JIBSJeju International Broadcasting SystemJejuLocal entertainment and newsThe Channel's callsign is HLKJ-DTV.

YTN DMB Network

Founded in 2005, YTN DMB is a broadcasting station that relays the broadcasting of YTN's channel.
In November 2006, a contract was signed with a local broadcasting station affiliated with the SBS network, and in June 2008, YTN DMB network was created, which began broadcasting to local areas.
All channels belonging to the network can only be viewed on devices that support T-DMB.
NameOwnerLaunchCoversGenreDescription
mYTNYTN DMBSeoul Capital AreaRelays of YTN's channelsThe Channel's callsign is HLMA-TDMB.
YTN DMB Headquarters
HD mYTNYTN DMBSeoul Capital AreaRelays of YTN's channelsThe Channel's callsign is HLMA-TDMB.
High-definition channel of mYTN.
KNN DMB ubc uKorea New Network
Ulsan Broadcasting Corporation 		Busan, Ulsan and GyeongnamLocal entertainment and newsThe Channel's callsign is HLDG-TDMB.
TBC DMB mYTNDaegu Broadcasting CorporationDaegu and GyeongbukLocal entertainment and newsThe Channel's callsign is HLDE-TDMB.
KBC JTV-mYTNKwangju Broadcasting Corporation
Jeonju Television 		Gwangju, Jeonnam and JeonbukLocal entertainment and newsThe Channel's callsign is HLDH-TDMB.
TJB u CJB-mYTNTaejon Broadcasting Corporation
Cheongju Broadcasting 		Daejeon, Sejong City, Chungnam and ChungbukLocal entertainment and newsThe Channel's callsign is HLDF-TDMB.
G1DMB Go G1Gangwon No.1 BroadcastingGangwonLocal entertainment and newsThe Channel's callsign is HLCG-TDMB.
JIBS DMB 2Jeju International Broadcasting SystemJejuLocal entertainment and newsThe Channel's callsign is HLKJ-TDMB.

[Independent station]

After 1990, independent broadcasting stations excluding SBS include iTV Kyung-in Broadcasting, which opened in 1997 and closed in 2004, and OBS Gyeongin TV, which opened in 2007.
The viewing area of the two broadcasting stations was the same in Seoul Metropolitan Area, and among them, iTV Kyung-in Broadcasting was broadcast to other regions through Pay television and served as a Superstation.
NameOwnerLaunchCoversGenreDescription
OBSYoung An Hat Co., Ltd.Seoul Metropolitan AreaMetropolitan entertainment and newsThe Channel's callsign is HLQS-DTV.

International channels

Most viewed channels

PositionChannelShare of total viewing
1KBS 1TV9.1
2KBS 2TV9.2
3MBC TV8.8
4SBS TV6.0
5KBS Drama4.9
6OBS4.4
7tvN3.9
8MBC Drama3.1
9KBS News 242.7
10MBC News Now2.8
11Mnet1.9
12EBS 1TV1.4
13EBS 2TV0.9

Station ident

Station idents, or station IDs, are short videos that are broadcast before a show starts. It mostly features historical places or tourist attractions, in some cases the stations headquarters. It is popular in South Korea.
Most feature animations of the logo, plus with a logo song. Advertisements are in the bottom in a small rectangle.
The logo song is also used for "up next" videos.