CJ ENM-D'Live Avoid Blackout... "To Proceed with Additional Negotiations"

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heung-soon] CJ ENM and D'Live, who were in conflict over the increase in program usage fees, have agreed to prevent an unprecedented 'blackout (broadcast suspension)' incident.

According to CJ ENM and D'Live on the 14th, following mediation by the Ministry of Science and ICT the previous day, they agreed to negotiate in good faith by the 31st of next month to reach a smooth agreement on the level of basic channel program usage fees for CJ ENM in 2020.

The two companies agreed that if a written agreement on the level of basic channel program usage fees is not reached by this deadline, they will abide by the Ministry of Science and ICT's mediation proposal. They also agreed to continue broadcasting the channels during the negotiation process and to sincerely participate in the government's mediation.

CJ ENM, which operates broadcasting channels such as OCN and tvN, demanded a 15-30% increase in program usage fees from paid broadcasting operators such as Internet Protocol TV (IPTV) and cable TV last month.

Cable TV operator D'Live opposed this demand, calling it unilateral. CJ ENM notified that if negotiations are not completed by July 17, they would suspend program broadcasting.

Concerned about potential user damage caused by this, the Ministry of Science and ICT held the first mediation meeting on the 9th to hear both companies' claims, and at the second meeting the previous day, they reached an agreement to prevent a blackout.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.