Home > Culture > Arts & Design

[2011 Top 10 stories] JTBC shows lead the pack

Published: 28 Dec. 2011, 22:42

Although there are hundreds of cable TV channels, they broadcast specialized programs. Food TV airs shows related to food, and OCN shows relate to movies or TV series. To diversify, four new TV networks launched this month to offer general programming content. Before the launch, only three terrestrial broadcasters - KBS, MBC and SBS - offered general programming.

The new channels rose to the surface after 2009 legislation allowed industrial capital and newspaper organizations to enter the television sector. Among the new channels, JTBC is affiliated with the JoongAng Ilbo, TV Chosun with the Chosun Ilbo, Channel A with the Dong-a Ilbo and MBN with Maeil Business Newspaper

Two JTBC dramas - “Padam Padam,” a love story about Jung Woo-sung (“Athena: Goddess of War,” 2011) and Han Ji-min (“Detective K,” 2011) - have gained the highest viewing rates, 2.151 percent, according to AGB Nielsen Media Research. No other channel’s programs have broken the 2 percent mark.

Average viewing rates for all four channels are lower than 1 percent. Many worry the new channels will not take root in the competitive TV industry, but some say that it’s too early to decide if the launch is successful.

By Lee Sun-min