Korean Broadcasting System

Korean Broadcasting System (KBS) is South Korea's national public broadcaster and one of the country's largest television and radio organizations. Its modern corporate form is a government-established public corporation, but its broadcasting history reaches back to 1927, when Gyeongseong Broadcasting Station began radio transmissions under the call sign JODK. After liberation from Japanese rule, the service adopted the call sign HLKA and subsequently became Seoul Central Broadcasting Station before developing into the national KBS network. KBS operates a broad public-service portfolio. Its terrestrial television services include KBS1, a principal channel for news, current affairs, documentaries, culture and public information, and KBS2, which has traditionally emphasized entertainment, drama, variety programming and popular content. The organization also operates radio networks covering news, current affairs, music, culture, entertainment and services for audiences with disabilities. Internationally, KBS World provides television, radio and online programming for overseas audiences, while related services such as KBS Korea serve Koreans living abroad. KBS programming is distributed through terrestrial transmission, cable, satellite, online video and social-media platforms. The organization has historically occupied a politically sensitive position. During the twentieth century it was closely associated with state-controlled broadcasting, and in 1980 the military government forced several private broadcasters into a merger with KBS. The restructuring affected organizations including Tongyang Broadcasting Corporation and Dong-A Broadcasting System and altered the ownership structure of Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation. These events remain central to debates about public-broadcasting independence and political influence in South Korea. KBS changed its institutional emphasis in 1973, adopting a public-oriented broadcasting framework. It expanded into FM radio and color television during the 1970s, introduced advertising in 1980, and later developed a mixed funding model based principally on television licence-fee revenue and advertising. KBS's educational television and FM operations were separated in 1990 to create the Educational Broadcasting System, or EBS. Following changes to the licence-fee system in 1994, KBS1 and Radio 1 stopped carrying commercials, while advertising remained part of other services. The broadcaster has also been a significant producer of nationally important programming. Its 1983 Special Live Broadcast, Finding Dispersed Families, connected families separated by the Korean War and became one of the most consequential public-affairs broadcasts in Korean television history. The programme ran for more than 450 hours over 138 days and generated an extensive archival collection. In 2015, the archive was added to the UNESCO Memory of the World Register. KBS completed the transition to digital terrestrial broadcasting in 2012 and launched a terrestrial ultra-high-definition service in 2017. It has expanded digital distribution through online-exclusive services, social platforms and international streaming. The broadcaster has also developed disaster-communication capabilities, including a major reform of its disaster broadcasting system in 2019 designed to mobilize organizational resources more rapidly, improve accessibility and provide emergency information through digital channels. KBS is managed as an independently operated public corporation, although its governance remains connected to the state. Its board and chief executive selection process has been criticized by observers who argue that political parties and the South Korean presidency can exert substantial influence. Since 2018, KBS has used a public advisory group in the selection process for its president and chief executive. The organization maintains regional stations, overseas branches and subsidiaries involved in content, media and channel operations. Its present role combines national public-service broadcasting, commercial entertainment production, cultural preservation, emergency communication and the international promotion of Korean content.

KBS traces its origins to Gyeongseong Broadcasting Station, established on 16 February 1927 under Japanese colonial administration with the call sign JODK. In 1932 the station became part of the Chōsen Broadcasting Corporation. After liberation in 1945, the service adopted the call sign HLKA in 1947, reflecting South Korea's newly assigned international radio prefix. Following a national broadcast in 1948, it was renamed Seoul Central Broadcasting Station. Television broadcasting in South Korea began in 1956 with HLKZ-TV. Financial difficulties led to the station's acquisition by KBS in 1961, giving KBS a central role in the development of Korean television. During the 1960s and 1970s the organization expanded its television and radio footprint. KBS launched FM stereo broadcasting in 1979, the same year color television began in South Korea, and began construction of its Yeouido headquarters in 1976. On 3 March 1973, KBS shifted its formal orientation from state-controlled broadcasting toward a public-oriented broadcasting model. That change did not remove the organization from political influence. In 1980, under the military government of Chun Doo-hwan, legislation forced several private broadcasting operations into KBS. The consolidation included Tongyang Broadcasting Corporation, Dong-A Broadcasting System, Seohae Broadcasting Corporation, Jeonil Broadcasting Corporation and other services. MBC was also affected: its regional ownership structure was altered, and a majority share in MBC Seoul was transferred to KBS. The mergers reduced the diversity of the broadcasting system and remain a major subject in discussions of media freedom and institutional independence. KBS began carrying advertising in 1980, departing from the financing practices commonly associated with public broadcasters. It also launched KBS 3TV and Educational FM in 1981. On 27 December 1990 these services were separated from KBS to form the Educational Broadcasting System, now known as EBS. Changes to the television licence-fee system in 1994 allowed KBS1 and Radio 1 to operate without commercials. KBS 2FM, which had been restricted from carrying advertisements for a period, resumed commercial advertising in 2002. One of KBS's most important public-service achievements was the Special Live Broadcast, Finding Dispersed Families, which began on KBS1 on 30 June 1983. The live programme enabled people separated by the Korean War to search for relatives and tell their stories publicly. It continued until 14 November 1983, running for 453 hours and 45 minutes over 138 days. KBS preserved hundreds of videotapes and thousands of related records, including photographs, posters, production documents and radio materials. The collection was later recognized by UNESCO. In the 2000s and 2010s, KBS modernized its transmission and expanded its international and digital services. KBS World Television launched in 2003, joining KBS World Radio as a major overseas platform. KBS World 24, later associated with KBS Korea, was launched in 2014 for Koreans overseas. KBS completed its terrestrial digital transition in 2012 and introduced terrestrial UHD broadcasting in 2017. Its international services increasingly used subtitles and online distribution, helping make Korean news, drama, entertainment and cultural programming available to audiences abroad. The 2010s also brought operational and political controversies. In 2011, a political accusation alleged that KBS had monitored a closed meeting concerning subscription-television charges. In 2012, KBS journalists protested editorial practices they viewed as politically favorable to the administration then in office. A separate carriage-fee dispute briefly removed KBS2 from subscription television platforms in January 2012. In March 2013, KBS computer systems were among those affected by a wider cyberattack against South Korean broadcasters. KBS has continued to combine domestic public service with international media activity. It provided host-broadcasting support for the 2018 inter-Korean summit and reformed its disaster-broadcasting system in 2019. Its governance is based on a public-corporation structure, but the appointment of its board and president remains politically contested. KBS therefore occupies a dual position: it is a central national institution for news, culture, emergency information and public communication, while also operating entertainment, advertising-supported and internationally distributed media businesses.

• 2019

  Disaster broadcasting system reformed

  [1]Korean Broadcasting Systemen.wikipedia.org

  KBS reorganized emergency broadcasting to improve speed, coordination, accessibility and digital delivery.

• 2018

  Inter-Korean summit host broadcasting

  [1]Korean Broadcasting Systemen.wikipedia.org

  KBS operated the International Broadcasting Centre for the April inter-Korean summit and distributed live coverage internationally.

• 2017

  Terrestrial UHD broadcasting launched

  [1]Korean Broadcasting Systemen.wikipedia.org

  KBS launched a terrestrial ultra-high-definition broadcasting service.

• 2015

  KBS family-broadcast archive recognized by UNESCO

  [1]Korean Broadcasting Systemen.wikipedia.org

  The archive of Finding Dispersed Families was inscribed on the UNESCO Memory of the World Register.

• 2012

  Digital terrestrial transition completed

  [1]Korean Broadcasting Systemen.wikipedia.org

  KBS completed the transition of its principal terrestrial television services to digital broadcasting.

• 2003

  KBS World Television launched

  [1]Korean Broadcasting Systemen.wikipedia.org

  KBS introduced its international television service, complementing KBS World Radio.

• 1990

  EBS separated from KBS

  [1]Korean Broadcasting Systemen.wikipedia.org

  KBS's educational television and FM services were separated to establish the Educational Broadcasting System.

• 1983

  Finding Dispersed Families broadcast

  [1]Korean Broadcasting Systemen.wikipedia.org

  KBS began its landmark live broadcast connecting families separated by the Korean War.

• 1980

  Forced broadcasting consolidation

  [1]Korean Broadcasting Systemen.wikipedia.org

  Military-government legislation merged several private broadcasting operations into KBS and introduced advertising to KBS broadcasting.

• 1979

  FM stereo and color television era begins

  [1]Korean Broadcasting Systemen.wikipedia.org

  KBS launched KBS Stereo, now associated with KBS 1FM, as FM and color television expanded.

• 1973

  Public-oriented broadcasting framework adopted

  [1]Korean Broadcasting Systemen.wikipedia.org

  KBS formally shifted its stated focus toward a public-oriented broadcasting model.

• 1961

  KBS acquires HLKZ-TV

  [1]Korean Broadcasting Systemen.wikipedia.org

  KBS acquired the financially troubled television station and strengthened its position in national television.

• 1956

  Television broadcasting begins in South Korea

  [1]Korean Broadcasting Systemen.wikipedia.org

  South Korean television transmissions began with HLKZ-TV, which KBS later acquired.

• 1947

  HLKA call sign adopted

  [1]Korean Broadcasting Systemen.wikipedia.org

  The post-liberation service adopted the HLKA call sign after South Korea received the HL radio prefix.

• 1932

  Chōsen Broadcasting Corporation formed

  [1]Korean Broadcasting Systemen.wikipedia.org

  The colonial-era broadcaster was reorganized under the Chōsen Broadcasting Corporation name.

• 1927

  Gyeongseong Broadcasting Station established

  [1]Korean Broadcasting Systemen.wikipedia.org

  The station that became the historical foundation of KBS began radio broadcasting in Seoul under the call sign JODK.

National public-service broadcaster combining universal television and radio coverage, public information, news, culture, entertainment and international distribution of Korean programming.

• Terrestrial television

  KBS1

  KBS1 is the principal public-service terrestrial television channel in the KBS network. It emphasizes national and regional news, current affairs, documentaries, cultural programming, educational material, public information and major live events. Following changes to the licence-fee system, KBS1 became one of the services that stopped carrying advertising.

• Terrestrial television

  KBS2

  KBS2 is KBS's entertainment-oriented terrestrial television network. Its schedule has included dramas, variety shows, popular entertainment, sports and other mass-audience programming. KBS2 is also distributed through cable and other subscription platforms and has been involved in disputes over carriage fees.

• International television and radio · 2003

  KBS World

  KBS World is the organization's international television, radio and online service. It distributes Korean news, sports, drama, entertainment, children's programming and cultural content to overseas audiences, with multilingual presentation and subtitles. Its television service began in 2003 and is distributed through international satellite, cable, online video and social platforms.

• International television · 2014

  KBS Korea

  KBS Korea, previously associated with KBS World 24, is an international channel aimed particularly at Koreans living outside South Korea. It provides a selection of KBS news and general programming for overseas viewers.

• International radio · 1953

  KBS World Radio

  KBS World Radio is South Korea's international radio service. It presents news, information and Korean cultural programming for overseas listeners and is funded directly by the South Korean government.

• Radio · 1927

  KBS Radio

  The KBS radio portfolio includes Radio 1 for news and public affairs, Radio 2 for popular music and entertainment, Radio 3 for audiences with disabilities, KBS 1FM for classical and folk music, KBS 2FM for entertainment and news, Hanminjok Radio and international radio services.

• Cable and satellite television

  KBS N channels

  KBS N operates specialized channels including KBS Life, KBS Drama, KBS N Sports, KBS Joy, KBS Kids and KBS Story. These services extend the KBS content portfolio into culture and drama, sports, comedy and quizzes, children's programming and audience-specific entertainment.

• 2012

  Newsroom independence protests

  KBS journalists and unions protested what they characterized as coverage favorable to the Lee Myung-bak government and published online material addressing government-surveillance and political-spending controversies.

  Source

• 2011

  Allegation of monitoring a political meeting

  A senior opposition politician accused KBS of wiretapping a closed-door party meeting concerning television subscription charges. The allegation formed part of wider criticism of KBS's political independence.

  Source

• 1980

  Forced consolidation of private broadcasters

  The military government forced several private broadcasters into KBS and altered MBC's ownership structure. The consolidation restricted media diversity and is frequently cited in criticism of political control over KBS.

  Source

Read more

• 2019Disaster broadcasting reform

  South Korea

  KBS reformed its disaster-broadcasting system to improve emergency coordination, speed of reporting, accessibility, sign-language interpretation and digital delivery.

  Outcome. The reform created a framework for mobilizing broader KBS resources during emergencies and expanding services for people with disabilities and overseas audiences.

  Source
• 2018Inter-Korean Summit international coverage

  South Korea · International markets

  KBS served as host broadcaster for the April 2018 inter-Korean summit, operating an international media centre and supplying continuous coverage to local and overseas media.

  Outcome. KBS World TV distributed live coverage with English subtitles to international audiences.

  Source
• 1983Finding Dispersed Families

  South Korea

  KBS produced a nationwide live public-service broadcast that allowed people separated by the Korean War to seek relatives and share identifying information. The programme became a major humanitarian and historical media event.

  Outcome. The broadcast ran for 453 hours and 45 minutes over 138 days, generated a major archival collection and was later recognized by UNESCO.

  Source

• 2019

  Reorganize disaster broadcastingStrategy

  Background

  KBS sought faster emergency communication and broader service accessibility across broadcast and digital platforms.

  Action taken

  The organization reformed its disaster-broadcasting system, emphasizing coordinated resource deployment, accessible interpretation and improved digital and English-language services.

  Aftermath

  KBS established a more centralized emergency-response framework under its president and chief executive.

  Source

• 2017

  Launch terrestrial UHD serviceProduct launch

  Background

  KBS continued upgrading its terrestrial technology after the digital transition.

  Action taken

  KBS launched a terrestrial ultra-high-definition broadcasting service.

  Aftermath

  The launch positioned KBS among the early terrestrial UHD broadcasters.

  Source

• 2012

  Resolve KBS2 carriage-fee disputeOther

  Background

  KBS and subscription television providers disagreed over the per-subscriber fee for carrying KBS2.

  Action taken

  After providers temporarily stopped distributing KBS2, the Korea Communications Commission ordered restoration and the providers agreed to resume carriage.

  Aftermath

  KBS2 returned to the affected subscription platforms after a brief blackout.

  Source

• 2012

  Complete terrestrial digital transitionGeneration change

  Background

  KBS had begun broadcasting high-definition programming in 2001 while South Korea was moving from analogue to digital terrestrial television.

  Action taken

  KBS completed the transition of its principal terrestrial services to digital broadcasting.

  Aftermath

  KBS1 and KBS2 operated as digital terrestrial services, with analogue transmissions phased out nationally.

  Source

• 1990

  Separate educational services into EBSStrategy

  Background

  KBS had operated educational television and FM services within its organization.

  Action taken

  The educational services were formally separated from KBS on 27 December 1990 to establish the Educational Broadcasting System.

  Aftermath

  EBS became South Korea's dedicated educational broadcaster.

  Source

1. 1Korean Broadcasting Systemen.wikipedia.org