Meeting with Small and Medium Cable TV Broadcasters, Lee Jun-seok Pledges "Support for Regulatory Improvements in the Pay TV Market"

The National Individual SO Development Association invited Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, for a luncheon meeting near Yeouido on the 19th. From the left, Kim Hyung-dong, chief spokesperson of the People Power Party; fourth, Lee Han-oh, president of the Individual SO Development Association; sixth, Lee Jun-seok, leader; and far right, Park Sung-min, chief secretary. Photo by the National Individual SO Development Association

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[Asia Economy Reporter Cha Min-young] On the 19th, Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, met with small and medium-sized cable TV broadcasters (individual SOs) and said, "If necessary, we will support improvements to laws and systems through consultations with relevant ministries to ensure fair competition and a virtuous cycle structure in the pay-TV market."

The National Federation for the Development of Individual SOs invited Leader Lee Jun-seok and held a luncheon meeting near Yeouido on the same day. Attendees included Leader Lee, Lee Han-oh, president of the federation and CEO of Geumgang Broadcasting, Koo Ja-hyung, chairman of JCN Ulsan Central Broadcasting, Choi Yong-hoon, chairman of KCTV Gwangju Broadcasting, and Gong Dae-in, CEO of KCTV Jeju Broadcasting.

Individual SOs are small-scale, regional-level SOs that do not belong to nationwide cable TV operators (MSOs). These operators discussed issues in the pay-TV market and requested measures to eradicate the harms caused by bundled products. They also urged the need for institutional improvements to ensure fair competition and mutual growth between the IPTV telecommunications "Big 3" and regional small and medium SOs.

The SOs stated, "In the domestic pay-TV market, the IPTV telecommunications Big 3 combine their high-priced flagship products, mobile (cell phones), with low-priced wired products (internet and broadcasting), using giveaways and discounts to neutralize cable TV businesses. After acquiring and merging MSOs, the balance has been disrupted, and unfair practices continue targeting collective buildings in regional small SO broadcast areas by offering cash, giveaways, and discounts."

In the National Assembly, the 'Broadcasting Act Amendment for Supporting Small and Medium SOs' passed the plenary session last December, and the Ministry of Science and ICT, the competent authority, is preparing related amendments to the enforcement decree of the Broadcasting Act. The SOs insist that provisions that can eradicate unfair practices related to bundled products by the IPTV telecommunications Big 3 and create a turning point for regional small and medium SOs to coexist with the large telecommunications companies must be included in the enforcement decree.

The SOs emphasized, "Taking the amendment of the Broadcasting Act supporting small and medium SOs as an opportunity, active support and interest are needed so that a model case achieving balanced development and coexistence between large corporations and small businesses, as well as regional economic revitalization, can be realized in the pay-TV market."

Leader Lee Jun-seok said, "For the past 26 years, regional individual SOs have contributed to realizing regional characteristics and enhancing public interest through public interest content such as regionally focused information programs, 24-hour disaster broadcasts, and public election broadcasts as local life platforms." He added, "They have also played a certain role in creating local jobs within their areas." He also urged them to do their best in fulfilling the role of regional media, promoting balanced regional development, and fostering culture.

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