HCN, Now Part of KT Group, Takes Second Leap... Task Force Directly Under CEO Hong Gi-seop Established

Vision Declaration Ceremony Held... Founding Date Established as March 1

[Asia Economy Reporter Minyoung Cha] HCN, which was incorporated into the KT Group last year, has announced its second launch along with a new vision. To become a hyper-local channel, CEO Hong Gisub has established a media strategy task force (TF) directly under his office and will also form a separate reporting team for the June local elections.

HCN announced on the 8th that it held a vision declaration ceremony at its headquarters building in Seocho-dong on the 4th. The event was attended only by CEO Hong Gisub and a minimal number of executives, while the rest of the employees participated via video conference. The founding date was set as March 1, coinciding with the start date of cable TV’s original broadcast in 1995.

The new vision is “The No.1 Local Network Platform Connecting Us All.” It reflects the intention to realize the meaning of the HCN name, which stands for “Hyper Connected Network.” It aims to strengthen the connection with local communities and customers, which is the essence of cable broadcasting.

Various attempts are being made to enhance internal connectivity. A media strategy TF directly under the CEO was newly established. Formed as of January 1 this year, this TF oversees the planning and production of hyper-local content and plays a role in uniting the capabilities of eight regional local channels into one.

Synergy effects through connections among group companies are also anticipated. To enhance complementary effects with Skylife in broadcasting and telecommunications services, a bundled product BI called “sky HCN” was launched. Additionally, TPS bundling linked with budget mobile phones, the introduction of the Skylife ARA advertising system (a real-time integrated advertising subscription system), and other initiatives are underway. An Android STB capable of supporting online video services (OTT) and open TV is also under development.

Local channels are also being strengthened. Based on HCN’s slogan, “The No.1 Broadcast Beside You with Customers,” content is being planned where local residents directly participate and become the main characters. News and current affairs discussions are centered on local community issues, while also incorporating local voices on national matters. Broadcast programs are planned focusing on projects to revitalize the local economy with small business owners, sports face-offs featuring local amateur athletes and famous sports figures, and on-site entertainment addressing local complaints.

To create “killer content” for local channel programs, shows targeting nationwide viewers have also been produced. “Blackbox Sinmungo,” hosted by traffic accident specialist lawyer Han Mooncheol, is a program where drivers with traffic accident stories seek advice from lawyer Han Mooncheol through the Sinmungo platform. It will be available from the 14th of this month on the HCN local channel and YouTube’s “Blackbox Sinmungo.”

HCN will also form a special reporting team for the “8th Nationwide Simultaneous Local Elections” scheduled for June 1 this year. The goal is to closely cover candidates and help local voters make informed choices. This election coverage will include opinion polls and profiles of candidates ranging from basic local government heads to assembly members. On election day, a broadcast involving local voters participating in all processes from the start of voting to the vote count is being planned.

An HCN media strategy TF representative stated, “We will do our best to contribute to the realization of ‘grassroots democracy’ through this election, and we expect it to be a turning point for a new leap forward for HCN’s local channels.”

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