Korean Broadcasting System

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The Korean Broadcasting System (KBS; Template:Korean) is the national broadcaster of South Korea. Founded in 1927, it is one of the leading South Korean television and radio broadcasters under the government of South Korea.

The KBS operates seven radio networks, ten television channels and multiple Internet-exclusive services. Its flagship terrestrial television station, KBS1, broadcasts on channel 9 while KBS2, an entertainment-oriented network, broadcasts on channel 7. KBS also operates the international service KBS World, which provides television, radio and online services in 12 languages.

History

Early radio broadcasts

File:Korea Broadcasting System (KBS) 한국방송공사 (5481447848).jpg

KBS headquarters in Seoul

The KBS began as Gyeongseong Broadcasting Station (Template:Korean) with call sign JODK, established by the Governor-General of Korea on 16 February 1927.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> It became the Template:Nihongo in 1932. After Korea was liberated from Japanese rule at the end of World War II, this station started using the call sign HLKA in 1947 after the US-occupied Korea was granted the ITU prefix HL. After a national broadcast, the station was renamed Seoul Central Broadcasting Station in 1948.

1950s–1960s – Television

Television broadcasts in South Korea began on 12 May 1956 on HLKZ-TV. After financial difficulties, it was acquired by KBS in 1961.

1970s – Expansion

KBS changed its focus from being a state-controlled media and adopted the concept of being a public-oriented broadcaster on 3 March 1973. Construction of KBS headquarters in Yeouido started in 1976. In 1979 KBS radio began broadcasting on the FM band with the launch of KBS Stereo (now KBS 1FM). Colour television began that year.

1980s – Advertising

KBS began broadcasting advertising in 1980, differing from the norm of public broadcasters, after the forced merger of several private broadcasters into KBS by the military government of Chun Doo-hwan.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> It also bought 65% of the shares of the Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation and the Kyunghyang Shinmun.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

During the rule of Chun Doo-hwan, a new law in 1980 forced public broadcasters to merge with KBS. These broadcasters had shown news stories against Chun, leading him to stifle their criticism. These included:

• Tongyang Broadcasting Corporation (TBC)
• Dong-A Broadcasting System (DBS)
• Seohae Broadcasting Corporation (SBC)
• Jeonil Broadcasting Corporation (VOC)
• Hanguk-FM (BBC)

Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) was also affected. MBC was, at first, a federation of 20 loosely affiliated member stations across South Korea. Although they shared programming, each station was privately owned (similar to the UK ITV network before the passing of the Broadcasting Act 1990). After the consolidation, however, affiliates were forced to give up a majority of shares to MBC Seoul. MBC Seoul, in turn, was forced to give up 65% of its shares to KBS.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In 2009, president Lee Myung-bak said that the law was unconstitutional, and in 2011 TBC and DBS were revived as JTBC and Channel A, respectively.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

1990s – Spinoff of EBS

File:Protest by journalists 1990-04-17.png

Journalists protest in front of the KBS headquarters in April 1990

In 1981, KBS launched KBS 3TV and Educational FM and on 27 December 1990, both were officially separated from KBS to form the Educational Broadcasting System (EBS).

After a revision of the television licensing fee system in 1994, 1TV and Radio1 stopped broadcasting commercials altogether.

2000s

KBS 2FM from 1980 until 2002 was prohibited to air commercial advertisements. In 2002 ads resumed airing.

2010s

After first broadcasting HD programmes in 2001, KBS completely switched to digital broadcasting in 2012.

On 16 January 2012, a dispute broke out between KBS and the Korea Cable TV Association (KCTA) over carriage fees. KCTA sought to reduce fees from major national networks for carrying their feeds through subscription providers. KBS had demanded 280 won per subscriber, while the TV providers offered only 100 won per subscription. Negotiations reached a standstill, and so the providers decided to stop carrying KBS2.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> KBS2 experienced major decline in their ratings, affecting shows such as Brain at the time.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Following the blackout, the Korea Communications Commission (KCC) ordered the TV providers to resume distributing the channel or face a hefty fine. They initially refused, but on 17 January, they agreed to resume the channel's carriage.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In 2011, Sohn Hak-kyu, the chairman of the Democratic Party, accused KBS of wiretapping the party's closed-door meeting on TV subscription charges.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Journalists working for KBS (along with MBC, SBS and YTN) protested against journalism practices that favored the Lee Myung-bak government in 2012.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The union for KBS released a video clip "Reset KBS News 9" (리셋 KBS 뉴스9) on the internet that discussed the Prime Minister's Office Civilian Surveillance Incident and the controversial money-spending on renovating President Lee's alleged birth house on 13 March 2012.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

File:KBS 50 Years logo.svg

50th anniversary logo of its founding as public broadcasting organization.

On 3 March 2013, computer shutdowns hit South Korean television stations including KBS.<ref>Choe Sang-Hun, "Computer Networks in South Korea Are Paralyzed in Cyberattacks" Template:Webarchive, The New York Times, 20 March 2013.</ref> The South Korean government asserted a North Korean link in the March cyberattacks, denied by Pyongyang.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In 2013, KBS World Radio commemorated its 60th anniversary, and KBS World TV celebrated 10 years of its foundation.

In 2014, KBS World 24 was launched, mainly for Koreans abroad.

In 2015, KBS was honoured to have its archives of the KBS Special Live Broadcast, Finding Dispersed Families, inscribed on the UNESCO Memory of the World Register.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> This makes KBS only the world's second broadcaster to have a broadcast programme on the prestigious list.

The KBS network delivered the exclusive Special Live Broadcast, Finding Dispersed Families, via its primary channel, KBS1. KBS News was the program's producer. The program premiered on 10:15 pm KST on 30 June 1983. After more than 6 months, the special live programme ended at 4 am on 14 November 1983. This marks a total duration of 453 hours and 45 minutes of live broadcast over 138 days, aired nationwide on KBS1. The KBS's archives of Special Live Broadcast, Finding Dispersed Families include; 463 videotapes of the original recordings, and many associated materials, generated in the course of the broadcast, such as the posters carrying the participating dispersed family members' capsule stories, cue sheets, programming schedules, radio recording materials, and related photographs. A total of 20,522 such assorted materials are preserved in the archives.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The program was the biggest public affairs program ever produced by KBS and was the first to tackle the issue of families separated because of the long Korean War (1950–1953), which garnered even international coverage.

In 2017, KBS launched the world's first terrestrial UHD broadcasting service.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In June 2018, KBS led the operation of the IBC (International Broadcasting Centre) inside the KINTEX (Korea International Exhibition Center), located in Goyang, as Host Broadcaster for the April 2018 inter-Korean summit.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> During the summit, KBS successfully delivered all the moments associated with the historic summit for more than 3,000 local and overseas media representatives, gathered at the IBC. Throughout the day of the summit, KBS delivered live coverage through its continuous special news bulletins. Its prime-time news programmes, KBS News 9 and KBS Newsline provided audiences with highlights and implications of the historic summit through comprehensive reports. Also, KBS World TV delivered Live Coverage of April 2018 Inter-Korean summit with English subtitles for its audiences across 117 countries worldwide.

In May 2019, as the public service broadcaster in South Korea, KBS undertook a major reform in its Disaster Broadcast System in order to provide emergency services in times of emergency. To be headed by President and CEO of KBS, the renewed system allowed the use of maximum resources of the organization under emergency circumstances. Under the reform, KBS focused on: swift and efficient emergency broadcast and coverage; delivering essential information in innovative ways with the ultimate aim to minimise losses and damage; and strengthening its digital platforms to better serve wide-ranging audience groups. In particular, KBS signed contracts with sign language interpreters in an effort to enhance broadcast services for audiences with disabilities. In addition, KBS is committed to improve its English subtitle services for people from overseas.

Structure

File:KBS 2FM studio-Seoul.jpg

KBS Cool FM Radio studios

File:KBS Changwon, 2015-01-03.jpg

KBS regional broadcasting station in Changwon

KBS is an independently managed public corporation (Template:Korean) funded by the South Korean government and license fees. As part of the Constitution, the KBS president is chosen by the President of South Korea, as recommended by its board of directors. Political parties in South Korea have the right to name members of the KBS board of directors.

This system gives politicians effective control over choosing the president of KBS, as well as its board of directors. People who are critical of the system cite political intervention in KBS's governance as reason for revising the current system of recruiting.

In order to uphold and defend independence, KBS, since 2018, created a 'Public Advisory Group', as part of the selection process of new KBS President and CEO. Each President and CEO of KBS is recommended by the KBS Board of Governors. The Group examines Presidential candidates via a presentation, a panel discussion, and an interview. Each is ultimately appointed by the President.

Around 49% of KBS's revenue comes from a mandatory television licence fee of 2,500 won, on top of 18.7% from commercial advertisement sales.<ref name="2019 Korean Broadcasting System Annual Report">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In addition to 18 regional stations and 12 overseas branches, eight subsidiary companies such as KBSN, KBS Business and KBS Media manage KBS content.

CEOs

Generation	Name	Start	Retirement	Note
1	Hong Kyung-mo	February 1973	February 1979	rowspan="14" Template:N/A
2
3	Template:Ill	February 1979	July 1980
4	Lee Won-hong	July 1980	February 1985
5
6	Park Hyun-tae	February 1985	August 1986
7	Jung Koo-ho	August 1986	November 1988
8	Template:Ill	November 1988	March 1990
9	Template:Ill	April 1990	March 1993
10	Template:Ill	March 1993	April 1998
11
12	Template:Ill	20 April 1998	10 March 2003
13
14	Seo Dong-koo	22 March 2003	2 April 2003
15	Template:Ill	28 April 2003	11 August 2008	Dismissed
16
17
18	Template:Ill	28 August 2008	23 November 2009	rowspan="2" Template:N/A
19	Template:Ill	24 November 2009	23 November 2012
20	Template:Ill	23 November 2012	10 June 2014	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
21	Template:Ill	28 July 2014	23 November 2015	Template:N/A
22	Template:Ill	24 November 2015	23 January 2018	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
23	Yang Seung-dong	9 April 2018	23 November 2018	rowspan="2" Template:N/A
24		24 November 2018	9 December 2021
25	Template:Ill	10 December 2021	12 September 2023	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
26	Template:Ill	12 November 2023	9 December 2024	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
27	Template:Ill	10 December 2024	present	<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Channels

Terrestrial television

Name	Logo	Description
KBS1	File:KBS 1 logo.svg	The flagship channel of KBS. It broadcasts news and current affairs, education, drama, sports, children's programming and culture. It launched in 1961 as HLKA-TV and is solely funded by the license fee, airing commercial-free. It is available nationally on channel 9, broadcasting via digital terrestrial television. KBS1 also airs public information films and minor entertainment programming.<ref name="Channel Info">Template:Cite news</ref>
KBS2	File:KBS 2 logo.svg	The entertainment channel of KBS. It was launched in 1980 as a replacement for the Tongyang Broadcasting Corporation, which was controversially merged with KBS. It is available on digital channel 7 via digital terrestrial television. KBS2 also airs live sports coverage, children's programming, public information films and limited amounts of news, current affairs and drama programming.<ref name="Channel Info" />
KBS NEWS 24	File:KBS 24 logo.svg	The news channel of KBS. It was launched in 2010 as webcast channel It was available on digital channel 7 via digital terrestrial television from 2021 to 2023, returning to be a FAST channel after july 2023.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
KBS UHD		The Ultra High-Definition channel, using the ATSC 3.0 format. The channel airs music videos, plus re-runs of TV series and various programming.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

KBS1 and KBS2 switched to digital, phasing out analogue services on 31 December 2012. However, both channels reportedly continued to be unofficially broadcast in analogue via UHF, presumably near the DMZ, albeit using the SECAM D/K standard.<ref>Template:Citation</ref>

Cable and satellite television

• KBS Life – A culture and drama channel, it launched in 1995 as KBS Satellite 2. It was renamed KBS Korea in 2002, KBS Prime in 2006 and KBS N Life in 2015 before becoming KBS Life.
• KBS Drama – Formerly KBS Sky Drama, launched in 2002.
• KBS N Sports – Formerly KBS Sports/KBS Sky Sports, launched before the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
• KBS Joy – A comedy and quiz show channel, launched in 2006.
• KBS Kids – A children's channel, launched in 2012.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• KBS Story – A channel aimed at a female audience, launched in 2013.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

These channels are managed and operated by KBS N, a subsidiary of KBS. 100+ cable operators operate in the country while Skylife is the sole satellite television service provider.

KBS World

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}}

File:KBS World (2009).svg

is the international television and radio service of KBS. It launched on 1 July 2003. It broadcasts on a 24-hour schedule with programs including news, sports, dramas, entertainment and children's shows. KBS World Television is broadcast locally and around the world. As of July 2007, around 65% of its programs are broadcast with English subtitles. It is available in 32 countries, and reportedly more than 40 million households around the world can access KBS World.Template:Citation needed It has two overseas subsidiaries: KBS America and KBS Japan. KBS Japan is independently operated by a KBS subsidiary in Japan, and most programs are provided with Japanese subtitles.

KBS World Television mainly broadcasts programs commissioned for KBS's 2 terrestrial networks: KBS1 and KBS2. KBS World Television is distributed over international communication and broadcasting satellites. Local cable and/or satellite operators receive the signal from one of these satellites and carry it to subscribers of their own networks. KBS does not allow individual viewers to receive the signal from most satellites. The signal from Badr 6 and Eutelsat Hotbird 13A is Free-to-Air.

KBS World TV commenced its service via YouTube in 2007. Its subscriber count reached 10 million in May 2019 and 13.5 million in July 2020. KBS World TV is available on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LINE. Its social media handles surpassed 20 million subscribers in April 2020.

KBS Korea (previously KBS World 24), a spin-off channel of KBS World, is targeted at Koreans living overseas.

Radio

• KBS Radio 1 (711 kHz AM/97.3 MHz FM KBS Radio Seoul) – News, current affairs, drama, documentary, and culture. Launched in 1927 as Gyeongseong Broadcasting Corporation JODK, it became HLKA in 1947 and KBS Radio 1 in 1981.<ref name="english.kbs.co.kr">Template:Cite news</ref>
• KBS Radio 2 (603 kHz AM/106.1 MHz FM KBS Happy FM) – Popular music. Launched in 1948 as HLSA.<ref name="english.kbs.co.kr"/>
• KBS Radio 3 (1134 kHz AM/104.9 MHz FM KBS Voice of Love FM) – Launched in 1980 and ceased broadcasting in 1981. It was later replaced by KBS Radio 2's regional radio service and Educational FM (now EBS FM). It was re-launched in 2000 as a spin-off from KBS Radio 2. For the first time in 2010, it was launched on FM and restructured as a radio station for the disabled.<ref name="english.kbs.co.kr"/>
• KBS 1FM (93.1 MHz Classic FM) – Classical music and folk music. Launched in 1979 as KBS Stereo, adopted current name in 1980.<ref name="english.kbs.co.kr"/>
• KBS 2FM (89.1 MHz/DMB CH 12B Cool FM) – Entertainment and news. Launched in 1966 as Radio Seoul Broadcasting (RSB), renamed TBC-FM in the 1970s and KBS Radio 4 in 1980 after TBC-FM forced merger to KBS. The current name was adopted in 2003.<ref name="english.kbs.co.kr"/>
• KBS Hanminjok Radio (literal meaning: KBS Korean Nationality Radio) (6.015 MHz shortwave and 1170 kHz mediumwave) – Launched in 1975 as KBS Third Programme.<ref name="english.kbs.co.kr"/>
• KBS World Radio – The South Korean international radio service, funded directly by the government.<ref name="english.kbs.co.kr"/>

Logo history

• KBS logo (1961-1973).svg

  First KBS logo (from 15 October 1961 until 2 March 1973)

• KBS logo (1973-1984).svg

  Second KBS logo (from 2 March 1973 until 28 October 1984)

• KBS (1983) (unused).svg

  Unused KBS logo (1983)

• Korean Broadcasting System-text only.svg

  Third and current KBS text logo (from 29 October 1984 to present)

• KBS logo (1984-1985).svg

  1984-1985 logo

• KBS logo.svg

  Third and current KBS logo (from 15 August 1985 to present)

• KBS logo (1985-2001).svg

  1985-2001 logo

• KBS logo (2001).svg

  2001 logo

• KBS logo 2023.svg

  Unused Fourth KBS logo (2023)

Foreign partners

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Americas

Country	Public television
Argentina	Radio y Televisión Argentina
Bolivia	Bolivia TV
Brazil	Empresa Brasil de Comunicação
Canada	Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
Chile	Televisión Nacional de Chile
Colombia	RTVC Sistema de Medios Públicos
Costa Rica	Trece Costa Rica Televisión
Cuba	Cuban Institute of Radio and Television
Dominican Republic	Corporación Estatal de Radio y Televisión
Ecuador	Medios Públicos EP
El Salvador	TVES (El Salvador)
Honduras	Televisión Nacional de Honduras
Mexico	Sistema Público de Radiodifusión del Estado Mexicano
Nicaragua	Sistema Nacional de Televisión
Paraguay	Paraguay TV
Peru	Instituto Nacional de Radio y Televisión del Perú
United States	American Broadcasting Company, PBS
Uruguay	Televisión Nacional Uruguay and TV Ciudad
Venezuela	Bolivarian Communication and Information System

Europe

Country	Public television
Belgium	Vlaamse Radio- en Televisieomroeporganisatie
Finland	Yle
France	France Televisions
Germany	ARD
Italy	Radiotelevisione Italiana
Netherlands	Nederlandse Publieke Omroep
Norway	Norsk Rikskringkasting
Poland	Telewizja Polska
Portugal	Rádio e Televisão de Portugal
Russia	VGTRK
Spain	Televisión Española
Sweden	Sveriges Television
Turkey	Turkish Radio and Television Corporation
Ukraine	Suspilne Movlennia
United Kingdom	BBC

Asia

Country	Public television
Cambodia	National Television of Kampuchea
China	China Central Television
Hong Kong	RTHK
India	Doordarshan
Indonesia	RRI and TVRI
Japan	Nippon Hōsō Kyōkai
Malaysia	Radio Televisyen Malaysia
Mongolia	Mongolian National Broadcaster
Philippines	Presidential Communications Office
Thailand	Thai PBS
Taiwan	Public Television Service
Vietnam	VTV

Oceania

Country	Public television
Australia	Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Special Broadcasting Service
New Zealand	Television New Zealand

Operational status

Headquarters

KBS carried out organizational reform on 1 March 2019 to strengthen KBS capabilities of content creation; enhance digital work flow; and improve audience services. KBS created Content Production 2 Division that is responsible for production, marketing, as well as content businesses. The new division aims to bring outstanding dramas and entertainment programming by boosting creative nature of the production function, and minimizing its decision-making process.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

The strategy introduced Public Service Media Strategy team under Strategy and Planning Division. Public Service Media Strategy is mainly responsible for developing KBS's digital programs via assorted digital media platforms. The reform brought changes in Programming Division as Digital Media department expanded its roles. Digital News department attached to News and Sports Division strengthened its functions. Another significant change is that the 'Audience Relations Center' has become an executive department, operated directly by KBS President and CEO. The Audience Relations Center dedicates its resources to enhance audience services, and create participation opportunities for audiences. Local Stations Management was reorganized to be supervised under KBS Executive Vice President, in response to a growing demand for greater regional autonomy.

Criticism

In 2001, 90% of the foreign feature films shown on the two terrestrial KBS networks were American in origin, which, according to the statistics released by KOBACO and shared by screen quota organization Quota Yeondae, harmed KBS's image as the national public broadcaster.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

During the sinking of MV Sewol in 2014, KBS was heavily criticized for having a pro-government stance in the aftermath of the incident. While other outlets such as SBS were seen as anti-government, no Korean media outlet was seen as "neutral".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

See also

• Educational Broadcasting System
• KBS World Radio
• KBS America
• KBS World Canada
• KBS Symphony Orchestra
• KBS Hall
• Television in South Korea
• Korean Central Broadcasting Committee (equivalent in North Korea)

External links

• KBS.co.kr – official KBS Website Template:In lang
• World.KBS.co.kr Template:Webarchive – official KBS World website Template:In lang
• KBS America