2021 Broadcast Evaluation Released... KBS1 Scores 629 Points, Hyundai Home Shopping 441 Points

Compliance with Broadcast Review Regulations and Improvements in Children's Program Scheduling

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Hye-sun] The Korea Communications Commission (KCC) resolved and disclosed the results of the '2021 Broadcasting Evaluation' on the 2nd.

The KCC stated that the 2021 broadcasting evaluation was conducted on 157 broadcasting operators (371 broadcasting stations) in accordance with Article 31 of the Broadcasting Act, and was resolved after deliberation by the Broadcasting Evaluation Committee.

The evaluation period covered January 1 to December 31, 2021. Considering the characteristics of each medium such as terrestrial TV, radio, mobile multimedia broadcasting (DMB), comprehensive cable TV operators (SO), satellite broadcasting, comprehensive programming channel operators (PP), news-specialized PPs, and home shopping PPs, a comprehensive evaluation was conducted on the content, programming, and overall operation of the broadcasts. The evaluation criteria and items differ depending on the characteristics of each medium. Terrestrial central TV is evaluated out of 700 points, regional terrestrial TV and comprehensive programming PPs out of 600 points, SO, satellite, home shopping and news-specialized PPs out of 500 points, and radio and DMB out of 300 points.

KBS1 629 points, MBC 583 points, SBS 571 points

The evaluation scores for terrestrial TV were KBS1 with 629 points, MBC 583 points, SBS 571 points, and KBS2 565 points. According to the KCC, KBS1 improved in financial soundness, content investment, self-review, and children’s program scheduling, raising its total score by 21 points compared to the previous year. MBC’s total score increased by 9 points due to fewer deductions related to false reports, improved financial soundness, and compliance with review regulations. SBS’s total score rose by 27 points thanks to improvements in programming regulation compliance, review regulation compliance, and children’s program scheduling. KBS2’s total score increased by 43 points due to improvements in review regulation compliance, programming regulation compliance, and self-review. On the other hand, EBS scored 565 points, dropping 29 points from the previous year due to low scores in self-review, disaster broadcasting scheduling and operation status, and decisions related to false reports by the Press Arbitration Commission and courts.

For regional private terrestrial TV, the evaluation scores were Daejeon Broadcasting 490 points, KNN (Busan) 479 points, Jeonju Broadcasting 471 points, TBC (Daegu) 469 points, Ulsan Broadcasting 463 points, G1 (Gangwon) 462 points, Gwangju Broadcasting 452 points, Jeju Broadcasting 432 points, and Kyeongin Broadcasting 426 points. For terrestrial radio AM, KBS1 scored 234 points, MBC 208 points, SBS 202 points, and KBS2 200 points. For FM radio, KBS2 scored 226 points, SBS 221 points, MBC 216 points, and KBS1 198 points.

For terrestrial DMB TV, the evaluation scores for terrestrial-affiliated DMB operators were KBS 210 points, SBS 204 points, and MBC 203 points. Non-terrestrial affiliated DMB operators scored Korea DMB 246 points and YTN DMB 196 points. The KCC explained that differences in evaluation scores among operators occurred in areas such as program awards, disaster broadcasting, DMB-specific programs, and financial soundness.

The evaluation scores for comprehensive programming PPs were Chosun Broadcasting (TV Chosun) 500 points, JTBC 491 points, Channel A 490 points, and Maeil Broadcasting 464 points. Chosun Broadcasting improved in programming regulation compliance, review regulation compliance, and children’s program items, raising its total score by 26 points from the previous year. Channel A also improved in review regulation compliance, disaster broadcasting, and financial soundness. JTBC’s total score dropped by 4 points due to insufficient scores in disaster broadcasting and self-review items.

For news-specialized PPs, YTN scored 437 points and Yonhap News TV 410 points. YTN improved in content investment and human resource investment, increasing its total score by 20 points, while Yonhap News TV improved in disaster broadcasting scheduling, compliance with related laws, and content investment, raising its total score by 11 points.

Hyundai Home Shopping 441 points, GS Shop 430 points

Home shopping PPs scored Hyundai Home Shopping 441 points, GS Shop 430 points, Lotte Home Shopping 428 points, CJ OnStyle 427 points, Home&Shopping 423 points, NS Home Shopping 412 points, and Gongyoung Shopping 392 points. Hyundai Home Shopping’s total score increased by 22 points due to improvements in Korean Consumer Agency complaints and compliance with review regulations. GS Shop improved in review regulation compliance but saw decreases in compliance with related laws and financial soundness, resulting in an 11-point drop in total score.

For multiple system operators (MSOs), the average evaluation scores by operator were SK Broadband (SKB) 399 points, LG HelloVision 365 points, Hyundai HCN 359 points, D'Live 352 points, and CMB 348 points. SKB improved in compliance with related laws and fee distribution, raising its total score by 18 points. LG HelloVision improved in financial soundness but saw decreases in compliance with related laws and fee distribution, resulting in a 3-point drop. KT Skylife’s total evaluation score was 353 points, dropping 19 points due to insufficient scores in financial soundness, human resource investment, and disaster broadcasting.

The 2021 broadcasting evaluation results are reflected at a certain ratio in the re-licensing and re-approval examinations of broadcasters in accordance with Article 17 of the Broadcasting Act.

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