KBS 2TV
A South Korean free-to-air television channel operated by the Korean Broadcasting System, with a schedule centered on entertainment, drama, variety, music, and selected news and cultural programming.
Last updated August 21, 2026
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Overview
KBS 2TV, commonly styled KBS2, is a South Korean free-to-air television channel operated by the Korean Broadcasting System (KBS), the country's national public broadcaster. It was launched on 1 December 1980 after the absorption of the television and radio operations of Tongyang Broadcasting Company (TBC), whose broadcasting license was revoked during South Korea's 1980 press reorganization under the military government of Chun Doo-hwan. KBS2 therefore began life not as an entirely new commercial venture, but as a successor service that incorporated infrastructure, frequencies, personnel, and some programming heritage from TBC. The channel was established as a complement to KBS1. Whereas KBS1 developed a stronger identity around news, public affairs, information, and public-service programming, KBS2 was designed to carry a broader entertainment-oriented schedule. Its output has included Korean television dramas, variety programs, music shows, cultural and educational programming, selected news bulletins, and foreign-language learning content. This division of roles has remained central to the KBS channel portfolio, although the boundaries between the two services have changed over time. KBS2 began broadcasting in Seoul and Busan around the end of November and beginning of December 1980, following TBC's final transmission. The service initially operated without commercial advertising, but advertising returned to the two KBS television networks in March 1981. Color broadcasting began in December 1980. In 1986, KBS2 added an evening news bulletin and several foreign-language learning programs, expanding beyond a purely cultural and entertainment brief. The arrival of cable television in South Korea during the early 1990s reinforced KBS2's position as a major terrestrial service. It was designated a must-carry channel, giving it distribution advantages in the expanding multichannel environment. The network adopted green as an identifying color in 1993. Its drama output has periodically delivered exceptionally high audiences; the finale of First Love in April 1997 is associated with a reported 65.8 percent rating, one of the channel's most notable audience records. KBS2 transitioned into the digital terrestrial era during the 2000s. National digital broadcasting was introduced in 2001, while analog terrestrial transmissions ended in 2012. The channel later received a digital subchannel allocation identified as KBS2 7-2 in 2015. In the contemporary television market, KBS2 competes with terrestrial broadcasters such as MBC and SBS, cable networks including tvN and JTBC, and online streaming services. Its continuing brand role is to provide mass-market entertainment within KBS's public broadcasting system, particularly through drama, variety, and music programming. Music Bank is among its best-known long-running music properties, while Korean dramas remain a significant part of its schedule. The channel also maintains a digital and international presence through KBS's broader distribution and online services, although the terrestrial KBS2 service remains the core brand.
History
KBS2 was created during South Korea's major broadcasting restructuring in 1980. The reorganization followed the government's Policy for Merger and Abolition of the Press, implemented after the military takeover associated with Chun Doo-hwan. Tongyang Broadcasting Company, commonly known as TBC, had been established by Samsung founder Lee Byung-chul and had become one of South Korea's largest radio and television operators. Its broadcasting license was revoked, and its television and radio operations were absorbed into the Korean Broadcasting System. TBC's final broadcast took place on 30 November 1980. Around the same transition, the new KBS2 service began broadcasting in Seoul and Busan using facilities and frequencies formerly associated with TBC. KBS retained a limited number of programs with roots in the former broadcaster, including the KBS Music Festival, which had begun in 1965. The new channel was conceived as a companion to KBS1. Its original remit emphasized cultural and educational programming, while KBS1 was more strongly associated with news and public-information output. KBS2 quickly developed a broader entertainment profile. It began color broadcasting on 22 December 1980, at approximately the same time as MBC TV. Although the two KBS television networks were initially commercial-free, advertising was restored on 7 March 1981. This change helped establish the operating model that KBS2 would use for much of its subsequent history: a public-broadcasting channel with a broad national reach and a schedule financed partly through advertising and other broadcasting-system mechanisms. In November 1986, KBS2 added a prime-time news bulletin at 8:05 p.m. and introduced foreign-language learning programs. These additions demonstrated that the channel was not restricted to entertainment, even as drama, variety, music, and other popular genres became increasingly important to its public identity. During the early 1990s, the introduction of cable television expanded the number of channels available to Korean viewers. KBS2 was classified as a must-carry service, supporting its distribution across cable systems while commercial competitors MBC and SBS also pursued national audiences. The channel adopted green as its signature color in 1993. KBS2's drama schedule became a major source of audience reach. First Love, which began airing in 1996, achieved a particularly notable result when its final episode was reported to reach a 65.8 percent rating on 20 April 1997. The channel continued to combine serial drama with music and variety formats, including the long-running music program Music Bank. The next major technological transition was digital television. KBS2 began national digital terrestrial broadcasting in 2001. Its analog terrestrial service continued for another decade before being discontinued in 2012 as South Korea completed the analog switch-off. The channel later received a digital subchannel allocation known as KBS2 7-2 in 2015. A separate operational incident occurred on 14 October 2006, when a technical problem interrupted KBS2's signal for about 20 minutes during the evening broadcast. In July 2016, KBS2 introduced Kebit as its official mascot. The character is described as a space lifeform that came to Earth and symbolizes the light of KBS. In the current media environment, KBS2 operates within a highly competitive market that includes terrestrial networks, cable channels, and streaming platforms. Its core identity remains the entertainment-focused national television service in the KBS portfolio, with drama, variety, music, cultural programming, and selected news and educational content continuing to define the brand.
- 2016
Kebit mascot introduced
[1]KBS2 launches Kebit as its official mascot and a representation of KBS's light.
- 2015
Digital subchannel allocation
[1]KBS2 receives a digital subchannel identified as KBS2 7-2.
- 2012
Analog broadcasting ends
[1]The channel terminates its analog terrestrial service.
- 2001
National digital terrestrial broadcasting begins
[1]KBS2 expands digital terrestrial transmission nationally.
- 1997
First Love reaches a reported record audience
[1]The finale of First Love records a reported 65.8 percent rating.
- 1993
Green becomes the channel's signature color
[1]KBS2 adopts green as a principal element of its visual identity.
- 1986
Schedule broadens with news and language learning
[1]KBS2 adds an evening news bulletin and foreign-language learning programs.
- 1981
Advertising resumes
[1]Commercial advertising returns to the KBS television networks after an initial commercial-free period.
- 1980
KBS2 launches
[1]KBS2 begins broadcasting in Seoul and Busan after the absorption of Tongyang Broadcasting Company operations into KBS.
- 1980
Color broadcasting begins
[1]The channel starts color transmissions in December.
Products and positioning
A mass-market public television service positioned as the entertainment-oriented counterpart to KBS1, combining drama, variety, music, cultural content, and selected news and educational programming.
Free-to-air television · 1980
KBS2 terrestrial television channel
The principal KBS2 service is a nationwide South Korean free-to-air television channel. It was originally distributed through analog terrestrial transmitters and later moved to digital terrestrial transmission. The channel's schedule is designed for broad national reach and combines entertainment with public-service content rather than operating solely as a specialist or subscription channel.
Television drama
KBS2 drama programming
Korean scripted drama is one of KBS2's defining programming categories. The channel has used serial dramas as major audience and brand vehicles, with First Love serving as a notable historical example. Drama remains part of KBS2's general-entertainment identity, although it competes with productions shown by terrestrial, cable, and streaming services.
Music television
Music Bank
Music Bank is a long-running KBS2 music program associated with performances by Korean popular-music artists. It forms part of the channel's entertainment portfolio and has also contributed to the international visibility of KBS's Korean music programming.
Variety and entertainment
KBS2 variety programming
Variety and entertainment shows occupy a substantial place in the KBS2 schedule. This category includes studio, performance, comedy, competition, and other broad-audience formats that complement the channel's drama and music output.
Digital television subchannel · 2015
KBS2 7-2
KBS2 7-2 is the digital subchannel allocation granted to KBS2 in 2015. Available source material identifies the allocation but does not provide a detailed description of its programming or distribution footprint.
Brand decisions
2015
Add the KBS2 7-2 digital subchannelProduct launchBackground
KBS2 was granted an additional digital subchannel allocation during the digital broadcasting era.
Action taken
The KBS2 7-2 digital subchannel was assigned to the channel.
Aftermath
The allocation expanded the digital channel structure associated with the KBS2 brand, although detailed programming information is not established in the supplied sources.
2012
End analog terrestrial transmissionGeneration changeBackground
South Korea completed the transition away from analog terrestrial television.
Action taken
KBS2 discontinued its analog broadcast service.
Aftermath
KBS2 continued as a digital terrestrial television service.
2001
Begin national digital terrestrial broadcastingGeneration changeBackground
South Korea was transitioning from analog terrestrial television toward digital broadcasting.
Action taken
KBS2 began national digital terrestrial transmissions.
Aftermath
The channel retained a national terrestrial presence during the shift to digital television.
1981
Restore commercial advertisingStrategyBackground
KBS2 and KBS1 initially broadcast without commercial advertising.
Action taken
Advertising was reintroduced on the KBS television networks in March 1981.
Aftermath
KBS2 operated as a public broadcaster with advertising as part of its television-network model.
1980
Create an entertainment-oriented companion to KBS1StrategyBackground
KBS established the second channel during the 1980 restructuring of South Korea's broadcasting system, with the intention of complementing the more news-focused KBS1.
Action taken
KBS2 was assigned a schedule emphasizing cultural, educational, entertainment, and later drama and variety programming.
Aftermath
The complementary KBS1/KBS2 positioning became the basis of the two-channel KBS television portfolio.
1980
Launch KBS2 after TBC absorptionProduct launchBackground
Tongyang Broadcasting Company's license was revoked during the 1980 press reorganization, and its broadcasting operations were absorbed into KBS.
Action taken
KBS launched the new KBS2 service in Seoul and Busan after TBC's final broadcast.
Aftermath
KBS2 became one of South Korea's principal terrestrial television channels.
Recent events
- 2016
KBS2 introduces Kebit mascot[1]
Campaign
KBS2 introduced Kebit, a space-origin character presented as a representative of the light of KBS and used in the channel's identity.
- 2015
KBS2 receives a digital subchannel allocation[1]
Product launch
The channel was granted a digital subchannel identified as KBS2 7-2.
- 2012
KBS2 completes the end of analog terrestrial broadcasting[1]
Product generation
KBS2 ceased its long-running analog terrestrial transmissions as South Korea completed its transition to digital broadcasting.
- 2006
KBS2 signal interrupted by a technical problem[1]
Other
The channel's evening signal was interrupted for approximately 20 minutes because of technical difficulties.
- 2001
KBS2 expands into national digital terrestrial broadcasting[1]
Product generation
KBS2 began offering digital terrestrial broadcasts on a national scale as South Korea moved toward digital television.
- 1997
First Love finale produces a major KBS2 ratings record[1]
Other
The final episode of the KBS2 drama First Love was reported to have reached a 65.8 percent television rating, marking one of the channel's most prominent audience peaks.
- 1986
KBS2 adds evening news and language-learning programming[1]
Product launch
The channel expanded its schedule with a prime-time news bulletin and foreign-language learning programs.
- 1981
Commercial advertising returns to KBS television networks[1]
Other
After initially operating without commercial advertising, KBS2 and KBS1 resumed advertising transmissions in March 1981.
- 1980
KBS2 launches as successor to Tongyang Broadcasting Company television operations[1]
Other
Following the forced closure and absorption of TBC during South Korea's 1980 press reorganization, KBS2 began broadcasting in the Seoul and Busan areas and inherited parts of TBC's facilities and programming legacy.
- 1980
KBS2 begins color broadcasting[1]
Product launch
KBS2 introduced color television broadcasting in December 1980, alongside MBC TV.
Sources2 sources
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