June 2013
[ Part III ] Republic of Korea: The Current Situation and Issues of Local Broadcast Services
Norihiro Tanaka
Digital terrestrial broadcasting system in the Republic of Korea is structured based on the three major networks, KBS, MBC, and SBS, and many TV programs, including popular dramas and variety shows, are produced in the Seoul-based flagship stations of those networks. Meanwhile, regional and local stations are actively working on the production of original, community-based programs, instead of only airing programs made in Seoul. Currently, the ratios of locally made programs broadcast at regional/local stations have reached the low-ten percent range at KBS, high-ten percent range at MBC, and high-twenty to low-thirty percent range at commercial stations. However, there are many problems to solve as local stations have to cope with insufficient production budgets and staff, both far smaller than those at the flagships, and have to consider the balance between locally made programs and Seoul-made ones in the process of program scheduling.
To deliver local information to local residents in a community-based manner is a fundamental role of regional/local broadcasters, but another important role is providing local viewers with popular programs produced by flagship stations. Interviews with regional/local broadcasters elucidate their continuous efforts to find best ways to operate their stations and to provide quality services to the local audience by balancing the above two roles.