Broadcasting Commission Grants Terrestrial Broadcasting Reauthorization... KBS2TV and SBS Receive 'Conditional 3-Year' License

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[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] Twenty-one terrestrial broadcasters including KBS, MBC, SBS, and EBS have been approved for license renewal. EBS received the highest broadcasting evaluation score and was granted a 4-year license renewal, while SBS and KBS2TV, scoring below 650 points, received a 3-year "conditional license renewal."

On the 18th, the Korea Communications Commission (KCC) passed a plenary session containing these details. The KCC formed a review committee of 12 experts across five fields and conducted an 8-day evaluation.

As a result of the evaluation, EBS (713.65 points) received the highest score and was granted a 4-year license renewal period from next year through 2024.

KBS2TV (647.13 points) received a 3-year conditional license renewal. It was pointed out for scheduling viewer evaluation programs during low viewership time slots and insufficient balanced programming during peak viewing hours. However, considering the submission of improvement plans and the willingness to make efforts, conditional renewal was approved.

SBS (641.55 points) was criticized for excessive violations of broadcasting advertising laws and passive content investment, receiving a 3-year conditional license renewal. During the hearing process, SBS strengthened its internal review standards and submitted improvement plans to realize public interest. However, conditions were imposed regarding favorable reporting or promotional articles for the largest shareholder and enhancing content competitiveness.

Additionally, KBS1TV (686.37 points) and MBC (683.04 points) received 4-year license renewals. Including KBS1TV and MBC, 159 broadcasters scored between 650 and 700 points.

Han Sang-hyuk, Chairman of the KCC, stated, “I hope this license renewal evaluation will help terrestrial broadcasters establish themselves as trusted broadcasters by the public by fulfilling their public roles and responsibilities despite the increasingly difficult broadcasting environment and worsening management conditions.”

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