Twitch to be switched off in Korea for VOD from Feb. 7

[TWITCH]

Twitch, a U.S. streaming service run by Amazon, will block the uploading of video-on-demand (VOD) content from Korea from Feb. 7, reigniting a dispute over network usage fees.

The measure only applies to the Korean service. The company explained that it is not due to the network usage fees it may be facing with a bill being discussed by lawmakers.

“Users in Korea will no longer be able to produce or upload new VOD content as of Feb. 7, as we’d initially announced on Nov. 10,” Twitch Korea said in a statement.

The move comes after Twitch Korea reduced the maximum quality of its videos to 720p in Korea from Sept. 30 and blocked Korean users from viewing VOD content from Dec. 13.

The company cited “increased management fees,” but did not elaborate further.

The streaming service said that it gave domestic streamers plenty of time to prepare for the change. It faced criticism from Korean users when it announced the change to reduce the maximum quality of its videos only a day before it went into effect.

“The change is not related to the increasing network usage fees,” Twitch emphasized on its website. “The change is part of our effort to come up with the best alternative to comply with the evolving government regulations.

“The company still considers Korean users as an important part of our global community. Our overall initiative is to support streamers and the viewer community to grow and develop.”

The network usage fee battle has been ongoing since 2021, with the Netflix and SK Broadband brawl most publicized.

In June 2021, the local court ruled in favor of SK Broadband in a suit against Netflix, ruling that the internet provider had the right to demand network usage fees, although it did not order the streaming company to pay the Korean company. Netflix appealed the court decision, and the case is still ongoing.

Last year, National Assembly representatives proposed an amendment to the Telecommunications Business Act to spell out and detail content obligations to pay for using Korean networks to deliver content to local users.

BY LEE JAE-LIM [lee.jaelim@joongang.co.kr]