The Korean Broadcasting System, or KBS, on Thursday celebrates the 38th anniversary of its foundation as a state-run broadcaster. Originally founded as Korea’s first-ever radio broadcaster back in 1927, KBS grew into a multi-channel broadcasting network covering radio, TV and overseas broadcasting services. It was re-inaugurated as a public service broadcaster, Korean Broadcasting System, in 1973.
Over the past 38 years, KBS has faithfully performed its duties and responsibilities as Korea’s leading public service broadcaster. In fact, KBS ranks first among all media in the country in terms of ratings, influence, and reliability. The top position attests to the fact that KBS has faithfully carried out its mission as a public service broadcaster.
KBS management’s objective for 2011 is summed up as “Digital KBS—Together with the Audience.” To achieve its goal, KBS announced six major projects in response to the future media environment, producing quality programs, boosting audience rights, strengthening its role as a leading public service broadcaster, invigorating regional broadcasting, and seeking financial stabilization and management efficiency. It plans to further improve its identity as a leading public service broadcaster by producing quality programs and expanding public services at a time when the broadcasting is growing more digitalized and commercialized.
In fact, the nation’s broadcasting environment is getting more competitive. Last year’s selection of four operators to launch new channels for general programming and another news channel has changed the nation’s broadcasting industrial landscape. The introduction of new competition will end the control of the nation’s terrestrial services market by a few operators and unrestrained competition will begin. In this situation, KBS has to seek a switchover to digital services, requiring an enormous amount of investment.
However, KBS should not put all of its efforts into getting ratings in order to promote its public services. Just as populism can reduce the quality of politics, a broadcaster’s obsession with ratings may lower the quality of programs. Efforts should also be made to improve emergency services, embrace the underprivileged, maintain political neutrality and fairness, and enhance the nation’s cultural level while working to expand the Hallyu or Korean Wave throughout the globe. KBS is the only media organization that can meet all these demands.
In pursuit of these goals, however, it is inevitable to raise the license fees. The license fee is paid by every Korean household with a television. If it is raised to cover increased costs and the impending digital television switchover, then license fee income will eclipse advertisement income. It is widely viewed that if the advertisement income adds up to more than 30 percent of the gross revenue, KBS can hardly be considered a public service broadcaster. The license fee adjustment will help KBS make a fresh start as a public service broadcaster in a genuine sense of the word.
KBS is the most influential media organization in Korea. It is hoped that KBS, equipped with a sense of responsibility commensurate with its influence, will enjoy the audience’s respect and trust with objective and unbiased reports, commentary and programs.
Over the past 38 years, KBS has faithfully performed its duties and responsibilities as Korea’s leading public service broadcaster. In fact, KBS ranks first among all media in the country in terms of ratings, influence, and reliability. The top position attests to the fact that KBS has faithfully carried out its mission as a public service broadcaster.
KBS management’s objective for 2011 is summed up as “Digital KBS—Together with the Audience.” To achieve its goal, KBS announced six major projects in response to the future media environment, producing quality programs, boosting audience rights, strengthening its role as a leading public service broadcaster, invigorating regional broadcasting, and seeking financial stabilization and management efficiency. It plans to further improve its identity as a leading public service broadcaster by producing quality programs and expanding public services at a time when the broadcasting is growing more digitalized and commercialized.
In fact, the nation’s broadcasting environment is getting more competitive. Last year’s selection of four operators to launch new channels for general programming and another news channel has changed the nation’s broadcasting industrial landscape. The introduction of new competition will end the control of the nation’s terrestrial services market by a few operators and unrestrained competition will begin. In this situation, KBS has to seek a switchover to digital services, requiring an enormous amount of investment.
However, KBS should not put all of its efforts into getting ratings in order to promote its public services. Just as populism can reduce the quality of politics, a broadcaster’s obsession with ratings may lower the quality of programs. Efforts should also be made to improve emergency services, embrace the underprivileged, maintain political neutrality and fairness, and enhance the nation’s cultural level while working to expand the Hallyu or Korean Wave throughout the globe. KBS is the only media organization that can meet all these demands.
In pursuit of these goals, however, it is inevitable to raise the license fees. The license fee is paid by every Korean household with a television. If it is raised to cover increased costs and the impending digital television switchover, then license fee income will eclipse advertisement income. It is widely viewed that if the advertisement income adds up to more than 30 percent of the gross revenue, KBS can hardly be considered a public service broadcaster. The license fee adjustment will help KBS make a fresh start as a public service broadcaster in a genuine sense of the word.
KBS is the most influential media organization in Korea. It is hoped that KBS, equipped with a sense of responsibility commensurate with its influence, will enjoy the audience’s respect and trust with objective and unbiased reports, commentary and programs.
(Source : KBS World http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/news_commentary_detail.htm?No=21066)
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