[Edaily Reporter Kim Hyun-ah ] The “2024 Broadcasting Evaluation Results,” which will be factored into the review process for broadcasters’ re-licensing and re-approval, have been finalized. Among terrestrial broadcasters, KBS1 recorded the highest score; among general programming channels, MBN took first place; among news-specialized channels, YTN took first place; and among home shopping channels, HYUNDAI HOME SHOPPING NETWORK CORPORATION took first place.

The Korea Communications Commission (KCC; Chairman Kim Jong-cheol) held its 24th plenary session on the 22nd and approved the “2024 Broadcasting Evaluation Results,” which were based on an assessment of 371 broadcast stations operated by 153 broadcasters, including terrestrial broadcasters, general programming channels, news-specialized channels, and home shopping channels. This evaluation covered broadcasting performance from January through December of last year.

KBS1 Tops Terrestrial Broadcasters… MBN, TV Chosun, and Channel A Lead General Entertainment Channels

Among terrestrial TV stations (out of a possible 700 points), KBS1 received the highest score with 643 points. It was followed by MBC (612 points), SEOULBROADCASTINGSYSTEM(034120)(589 points), and KBS2 (574 points).

KBS and MBC saw their scores rise compared to the previous year, largely due to increased bonus points for ESG-related initiatives and reduced penalty points for violations of programming regulations, while SEOULBROADCASTINGSYSTEM saw a slight decline due to factors such as a decrease in award wins. EBS recorded 606 points after conversion, excluding certain items.

Among general programming channels (out of 600 points), MBN (526.66 points) took first place. It was followed by TV Chosun (525.48 points), Channel A (519.67 points), and JTBC (517.30 points), with all four broadcasters seeing their scores rise compared to the previous year.

YTN Takes First Place Among News Channels… HYUNDAI HOME SHOPPING NETWORK CORPORATION Leads Home Shopping Channels

Among

news-specialized channels

, YTN (439.91 points) received the highest rating, followed by Yonhap News TV (431.30 points).

Among home shopping channels, HYUNDAI HOME SHOPPING NETWORK CORPORATION (443.05 points) took first place. Public Shopping (442.01 points) and HYUNDAI HOME SHOPPING NETWORK CORPORATION (441.45 points) followed closely behind in the top ranks. They were followed by Lotte Home Shopping (440.95 points), Lotte One TV (440.18 points), and NS Home Shopping (432.31 points), in that order.

In contrast, CJ OnStyle Plus (390.51 points), CJ OnStyle (389.51 points), and SK Stoa (387.11 points) remained in the lower ranks.

CJ Corp.’s Appeal Rejected… Partial Relief Granted for Points Deducted Due to Disaster Broadcasts

The results of the appeals filed by broadcasters were also reported at the meeting.

CJ ENM CO., Ltd.(035760)(CJ OnStyle) requested a reduction in penalty points, arguing that five corrective orders related to broadcast interruptions—which occurred during transmission negotiations with cable operators (SOs)—should be treated as a single case; however, this request was not accepted.

The Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission dismissed the appeal, stating, “Since transmission interruptions occurred separately for each SO, it is reasonable to treat them as individual violations.”

On the other hand, among the eight operators that were subject to point deductions for failing to broadcast disaster alerts, it was determined that 11 cases involving four companies—MBC Chungbuk, Yeosu MBC, Jeju MBC, and OBS Gyeongin—had actually broadcast disaster alerts, so the point deductions for those cases were waived.

“Broadcasting Evaluation Criteria Must Be Revised from Scratch”

At the meeting, committee members unanimously raised the need for a major overhaul of the current broadcasting evaluation system.

Commissioner Lee Sang-geun stated, “As the business environment for the broadcasting industry is rapidly deteriorating, evaluation criteria must reflect not only fairness but also business performance,” adding, “If we do not redesign the evaluation criteria from scratch, the competitiveness of the broadcasting industry could weaken.”

Commissioner Ko Min-soo proposed consolidating the current station-level evaluations into operator (corporate entity)-level evaluations to reduce the burden of submitting data.

Commissioner Yoon Seong-ok (Chair of the Broadcasting Evaluation Committee) also emphasized, “In line with the trend toward deregulation, we must improve the system by simplifying evaluation items and reducing the burden on operators.”

Kim Jong-cheol, Chairman of the Broadcasting and Media Committee, stated, “While we have no choice but to apply the existing rules this year, starting next year, we need to fundamentally review the broadcasting evaluation rules to align with the changing media environment,” adding, “We will prepare to apply the new standards starting with the 2027 broadcasting performance evaluation following sufficient discussion.”

The Broadcasting Evaluation Committee also approved the “2025 Basic Plan for Broadcasting Evaluation” as originally proposed that day. It plans to prepare amendments to the broadcasting evaluation rules—reflecting improvements to evaluation criteria, strengthened assessment of the quality of in-house programs, and the implementation of fact-checking—to be applied starting with the 2027 broadcasting performance evaluation.