View source for Korean Broadcasting System

{{short description|South Korean public service broadcaster}}
{{redirect|KBS}}
{{More citations needed|date=April 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2021}}
{{Use British English|date=November 2012}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Korean Broadcasting System
| logo =
| image = KBS Main Building in 2018.jpg
| image_size = 220px
| image_alt = Main building of the Korean Broadcasting System
| image_caption = Main building of the Korean Broadcasting System
| native_name = {{Infobox Chinese/Korean|child=yes|hide=no|header=none
|hangul=한국방송공사
|hanja=韓國放送公社
|rr=Hanguk Bangsong Gongsa
|mr=Han'guk Pangsong Kongsa
}}
| trading_name = 
| type = [[Statutory corporation]]
| traded_as = 
| industry = [[Public broadcasting]]
| genre = 
| fate = 
| predecessors = {{unbulleted list|Kyeongseong/Keijō Broadcasting Station (1927–1932)|Chōsen Broadcasting Corporation (1932–1945)}}
| successor = 
| foundation = {{ubl|{{start date and age|df=yes|1927|2|16}} (as Kyeongseong/Keijō Broadcasting Station) (Radio)|{{start date and age|df=yes|1956|5}} (television)|{{start date and age|df=yes|1973|3|3}} (as Public Broadcasting organization)}}
| founder = Governor-General of Korea
| hq_location_city = [[Yeouido]], [[Yeongdeungpo District]], [[Seoul]]
| hq_location_country = South Korea
| area_served = Worldwide
| key_people = [[Park Jang-beom]] (President and CEO)
| products = {{ubl|Television|Radio|[[Web portal]]s}}
| production = 
| services = 
| revenue = 
| operating_income = 
| net_income = 
| aum = 
| assets = 
| equity = 
| owner = [[Government of South Korea | Government of South Korea]]
| num_employees = 4,701 {{small|(As of 1 June 2020)}}
| parent = 
| divisions = 
| subsid = {{ubl|[[KBS Media]]|KBS Art Vision|KBS Business|[[KBS N]]|KBS i {{small|(closed in 2011)}}|KBS Security|E-KBS|KBS America|KBS Japan|[[Monster Union]]}}
| website = {{URL|https://www.kbs.co.kr|Corporation website}}
}}

The '''Korean Broadcasting System''' ('''KBS'''; {{korean|한국방송공사|hanja=韓國放送公社|rr=Hanguk Bangsong Gongsa|mr=Han'guk Pangsong Kongsa}}) is the [[public broadcasting|national broadcaster]] of South Korea. Founded in 1927, it is one of the leading South Korean television and radio broadcasters under the government of South Korea.

The KBS operates seven radio networks, ten television channels and multiple Internet-exclusive services. Its flagship [[terrestrial television]] [[television station|station]], [[KBS1]], broadcasts on [[Television channel|channel]] 9 while [[KBS2]], an entertainment-oriented network, broadcasts on channel 7. KBS also operates the international service [[KBS World]], which provides television, radio and online services in 12 languages.

==History==
===Early radio broadcasts===
[[File:Korea Broadcasting System (KBS) 한국방송공사 (5481447848).jpg|thumb|right|200px|KBS headquarters in Seoul]]

The KBS began as Gyeongseong Broadcasting Station ({{Korean|hangul=경성방송국|hanja=京城放送局|labels=no}}) with call sign '''JODK''', established by the [[Governor-General of Korea]] on 16 February 1927.<ref>{{cite book|title=A New Modern History of East Asia|publisher=Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht|year=2017|isbn=9783737007085|page=292|language=en}}</ref> It became the {{nihongo|Chōsen Broadcasting Corporation|朝鮮放送協會|Chōsen Hōsō Kyōkai|lead=yes}} in 1932. After Korea was liberated from Japanese rule at the end of [[World War II]], this station started using the call sign HLKA in 1947 after the [[United States Military Government in Korea|US-occupied Korea]] was granted the [[ITU prefix]] HL. After a national broadcast, the station was renamed Seoul Central Broadcasting Station in 1948.

===1950s–1960s – Television===
Television broadcasts in South Korea began on 12 May 1956 on HLKZ-TV. After financial difficulties, it was acquired by KBS in 1961.

===1970s – Expansion===
KBS changed its focus from being a state-controlled media and adopted the concept of being a public-oriented broadcaster on 3 March 1973. Construction of KBS headquarters in [[Yeouido]] started in 1976. In 1979 KBS radio began broadcasting on the FM band with the launch of KBS Stereo (now [[KBS 1FM]]). Colour television began that year.

===1980s – Advertising ===
KBS began broadcasting advertising in 1980, differing from the norm of public broadcasters, after the forced merger of several private broadcasters into KBS by the military government of [[Chun Doo-hwan]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Kim|first=Se-ok|url=http://www.pdjournal.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=25830|title="Chun Doo-hwan new military department", media integration|work=피디저널(PD저널)|access-date=9 June 2018|archive-date=12 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612135942/http://www.pdjournal.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=25830|url-status=live}}</ref> It also bought 65% of the shares of the [[Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation]] and the [[Kyunghyang Shinmun]].<ref>{{cite news |title=문화방송·경향신문주식65% 방송공사서 인수 |url=https://www.mk.co.kr/news/economy/479654 |work=[[Maeil Business Daily]] |date=December 11, 1980 |language=ko}}</ref>

During the rule of [[Chun Doo-hwan]], [[Policy for Merger and Abolition of the Press|a new law]] in 1980 forced public broadcasters to merge with KBS. These broadcasters had shown news stories against Chun, leading him to stifle their criticism. These included:
* [[Tongyang Broadcasting Corporation]] (TBC)
* [[Dong-A Broadcasting System]] (DBS)
* [[Seohae Broadcasting Corporation]] (SBC)
* [[Jeonil Broadcasting Corporation]] (VOC)
* [[Hanguk-FM]] (BBC)
[[Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation]] (MBC) was also affected. MBC was, at first, a federation of 20 loosely affiliated member stations across South Korea. Although they shared programming, each station was privately owned (similar to the UK [[ITV (TV network)|ITV network]] before the passing of the [[Broadcasting Act 1990]]). After the consolidation, however, affiliates were forced to give up a majority of shares to MBC Seoul. MBC Seoul, in turn, was forced to give up 65% of its shares to KBS.<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 June 2012 |title=Media Strike in Korea |url=http://askakorean.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/media-strike-in-korea.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140914155257/http://askakorean.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/media-strike-in-korea.html |archive-date=14 September 2014 |access-date=14 September 2014 |website=Ask a Korean!}}</ref> In 2009, president [[Lee Myung-bak]] said that the law was unconstitutional, and in 2011 TBC and DBS were revived as [[JTBC]] and [[Channel A (TV channel)|Channel A]], respectively.<ref>{{Cite news |last=윤고은 |date=December 1, 2011 |title=종편채널 일제히 방송시작..채널소개 분주 |url=https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20111201188800005 |work=연합뉴스}}</ref>

===1990s – Spinoff of EBS===
[[File:Protest by journalists 1990-04-17.png|left|thumb|Journalists protest in front of the KBS headquarters in April 1990]]
In 1981, KBS launched KBS 3TV and Educational FM and on 27 December 1990, both were officially separated from KBS to form the [[Educational Broadcasting System]] (EBS).

After a revision of the television licensing fee system in 1994, [[KBS1|1TV]] and [[KBS Radio 1|Radio1]] stopped broadcasting commercials altogether.

=== 2000s ===
[[KBS 2FM]] from 1980 until 2002 was prohibited to air commercial advertisements. In 2002 ads resumed airing.

===2010s===
After first broadcasting HD programmes in 2001, KBS completely switched to digital broadcasting in 2012.

On 16 January 2012, a dispute broke out between KBS and the Korea Cable TV Association (KCTA) over carriage fees. KCTA sought to reduce fees from major national networks for carrying their feeds through subscription providers. KBS had demanded 280 won per subscriber, while the TV providers offered only 100 won per subscription. Negotiations reached a standstill, and so the providers decided to stop carrying [[KBS 2TV|KBS2]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Park |first=Gwang-il |date=17 January 2012 |script-title=ko:케이블TV 지상파 송출 중단…대구시민 분통 |url=https://news.joins.com/article/7153247 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210815155221if_/https://news.joins.com/article/7153247 |archive-date=15 August 2021 |access-date=15 August 2021 |website=[[JoongAng Ilbo]] |language=ko}}</ref> KBS2 experienced major decline in their ratings, affecting shows such as ''[[Brain (TV series)|Brain]]'' at the time.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Yang |first=Seung-joon |date=18 January 2012 |script-title=ko:'브레인' 신하균이 날린 역전만루홈런 |url=https://www.edaily.co.kr/news/read?newsId=01085686599399032&mediaCodeNo=258 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210815165646if_/https://www.edaily.co.kr/news/read?newsId=01085686599399032&mediaCodeNo=258 |archive-date=15 August 2021 |access-date=15 August 2021 |website={{ill|Edaily|ko|이데일리}} |language=ko}}</ref> Following the blackout, the Korea Communications Commission (KCC) ordered the TV providers to resume distributing the channel or face a hefty fine. They initially refused, but on 17 January, they agreed to resume the channel's carriage.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jeong |first=Yu-mi |date=17 January 2012 |title='KBS2' 28시간 만에 송출 재개… 밀실 협상에 불씨 남긴 타결 |url=https://www.khan.co.kr/national/media/article/201201172150525 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210815162525if_/https://www.khan.co.kr/national/media/article/201201172150525 |archive-date=15 August 2021 |access-date=15 August 2021 |website=[[Kyunghyang Shinmun]] |language=ko}}</ref>

In 2011, Sohn Hak-kyu, the chairman of the [[Democratic Party (South Korea, 2015)|Democratic Party]], accused KBS of wiretapping the party's closed-door meeting on TV subscription charges.<ref>{{cite news |last=Se-jeong |first=Kim |date=1 July 2011 |title=DP leader hits KBS for alleged wiretapping |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2014/03/116_90031.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150219223134/http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2014/03/116_90031.html |archive-date=19 February 2015 |access-date=16 November 2018 |work=[[The Korea Times]]}}</ref>

Journalists working for KBS (along with [[HLKV-TV|MBC]], [[HLSQ-TV|SBS]] and [[YTN]]) protested against journalism practices that favored the [[Lee Myung-bak government]] in 2012.<ref>{{cite news |date=19 March 2012 |title=SKorea journalists protest alleged pro-gov't bias |url=http://www.businessweek.com/ap/2012-03/D9TJIHLG0.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120704210030/http://www.businessweek.com/ap/2012-03/D9TJIHLG0.htm |archive-date=4 July 2012 |access-date=22 March 2012 |agency=Associated Press}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=25 April 2012 |title=Massive Media Strike in South Korea |url=http://www.sampsoniaway.org/blog/2012/04/25/massive-media-strike-in-south-korea/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413125110/http://www.sampsoniaway.org/blog/2012/04/25/massive-media-strike-in-south-korea/ |archive-date=13 April 2014 |access-date=9 April 2014 |agency=Sampsonia Way}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=19 March 2012 |title=Special Show to Celebrate the Retirement of Parachute Executives |url=http://www.worldyannews.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=1889 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413143842/http://www.worldyannews.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=1889 |archive-date=13 April 2014 |access-date=9 April 2014 |agency=WORLDYAN NEWS}}</ref> The union for KBS released a video clip "Reset KBS News 9" (리셋 KBS 뉴스9) on the internet that discussed the [[Prime Minister's Office Civilian Surveillance Incident]] and the controversial money-spending on renovating President [[Lee Myung-bak|Lee]]'s alleged birth house on 13 March 2012.<ref>{{cite news |last=Cho (조) |first=Hyeon-ho (현호) |date=14 March 2012 |script-title=ko:이명박 태어나지도 않은 생가에 혈세 펑펑 |url=http://www.mediatoday.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=100984 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120317221529/http://www.mediatoday.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=100984 |archive-date=17 March 2012 |access-date=21 March 2012 |work=[[Media Today]] |language=ko}}</ref>

[[File:KBS 50 Years logo.svg|thumb|200px|50th anniversary logo of its founding as public broadcasting organization.]]
On 3 March 2013, computer shutdowns hit South Korean television stations including KBS.<ref>Choe Sang-Hun, [https://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/21/world/asia/south-korea-computer-network-crashes.html "Computer Networks in South Korea Are Paralyzed in Cyberattacks"] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190602122340/https://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/21/world/asia/south-korea-computer-network-crashes.html |date=2 June 2019 }}, ''[[The New York Times]]'', 20 March 2013.</ref> The South Korean government asserted a North Korean link in the [[2013 South Korea cyberattack|March cyberattacks]], denied by Pyongyang.<ref>{{cite news |author=Lee Minji |date=10 April 2013 |title=(2nd LD) Gov't confirms Pyongyang link in March cyber attacks |url=http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/northkorea/2013/04/10/49/0401000000AEN20130410007352320F.HTML |newspaper=[[Yonhap News]] |access-date=2 June 2019 |archive-date=15 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130415082902/http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/northkorea/2013/04/10/49/0401000000AEN20130410007352320F.HTML |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2013, KBS World Radio commemorated its 60th anniversary, and KBS World TV celebrated 10 years of its foundation.

In 2014, KBS World 24 was launched, mainly for Koreans abroad.

In 2015, KBS was honoured to have its archives of the KBS Special Live Broadcast, ''[[Finding Dispersed Families]]'', inscribed on the [[UNESCO]] Memory of the World Register.<ref>{{Cite web |last=뉴시스 |date=2016-12-28 |title=KBS 이산가족찾기·조선 유교책판, 유네스코 세계기록유산 등재 |url=https://www.newsis.com/view/NISX20151010_0010341148 |access-date=2025-05-08 |website=뉴시스 |language=ko}}</ref> This makes KBS only the world's second broadcaster to have a broadcast programme on the prestigious list.

The KBS network delivered the exclusive Special Live Broadcast, Finding Dispersed Families, via its primary channel, KBS1. KBS News was the program's producer. The program premiered on 10:15 pm KST on 30 June 1983. After more than 6 months, the special live programme ended at 4 am on 14 November 1983. This marks a total duration of 453 hours and 45 minutes of live broadcast over 138 days, aired nationwide on KBS1. The KBS's archives of Special Live Broadcast, Finding Dispersed Families include; 463 videotapes of the original recordings, and many associated materials, generated in the course of the broadcast, such as the posters carrying the participating dispersed family members' capsule stories, cue sheets, programming schedules, radio recording materials, and related photographs. A total of 20,522 such assorted materials are preserved in the archives.<ref>{{cite web|title=Finding Dispersed Families {{!}} The Archives of the KBS Special Live Broadcast|url=http://english.kbsarchive.com/|access-date=15 January 2021|work=Korean Broadcasting System|archive-date=15 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115195531/http://english.kbsarchive.com/|url-status=live}}</ref> The program was the biggest public affairs program ever produced by KBS and was the first to tackle the issue of families separated because of the long [[Korean War]] (1950–1953), which garnered even international coverage.

In 2017, KBS launched the world's first terrestrial UHD broadcasting service.<ref>{{Cite web |last=www.etnews.com |date=2017-05-30 |title=세계 최초 지상파 UHD 방송 시작 |url=https://www.etnews.com/20170530000322 |access-date=2025-05-08 |website=미래를 보는 창 - 전자신문 |language=ko}}</ref>

In June 2018, KBS led the operation of the IBC (International Broadcasting Centre) inside the [[Korea International Exhibition Center|KINTEX]] (Korea International Exhibition Center), located in [[Goyang]], as Host Broadcaster for the [[April 2018 inter-Korean summit]].<ref>{{cite news |author=Lim Jeong-yeo |date=26 April 2018 |title=[2018 Inter-Korean summit] Cheong Wa Dae shares live footage from press center for South-North summit |url=http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20180426000775 |work=[[The Korea Herald]] |access-date=26 August 2020 |archive-date=11 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211211060237/http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20180426000775 |url-status=live }}</ref> During the summit, KBS successfully delivered all the moments associated with the historic summit for more than 3,000 local and overseas media representatives, gathered at the IBC. Throughout the day of the summit, KBS delivered live coverage through its continuous special news bulletins. Its prime-time news programmes, [[KBS News 9]] and [[KBS Newsline]] provided audiences with highlights and implications of the historic summit through comprehensive reports. Also, KBS World TV delivered Live Coverage of April 2018 Inter-Korean summit with English subtitles for its audiences across 117 countries worldwide.

In May 2019, as the public service broadcaster in South Korea, KBS undertook a major reform in its Disaster Broadcast System in order to provide emergency services in times of emergency. To be headed by President and CEO of KBS, the renewed system allowed the use of maximum resources of the organization under emergency circumstances. Under the reform, KBS focused on: swift and efficient emergency broadcast and coverage; delivering essential information in innovative ways with the ultimate aim to minimise losses and damage; and strengthening its digital platforms to better serve wide-ranging audience groups. In particular, KBS signed contracts with sign language interpreters in an effort to enhance broadcast services for audiences with disabilities. In addition, KBS is committed to improve its English subtitle services for people from overseas.

==Structure==
[[File:KBS 2FM studio-Seoul.jpg|200px|thumb|right|[[KBS Cool FM]] Radio studios]]
[[File:KBS Changwon, 2015-01-03.jpg|200px|thumb|right|KBS regional broadcasting station in [[Changwon]]]]

KBS is an independently managed public corporation ({{Korean|hangul=공사|hanja=公社|labels=no}}) funded by the [[South Korean government]] and license fees. As part of the [[Constitution of the Republic of Korea|Constitution]], the KBS president is chosen by the [[President of South Korea]], as recommended by its board of directors. Political parties in South Korea have the right to name members of the KBS board of directors.

This system gives politicians effective control over choosing the president of KBS, as well as its board of directors. People who are critical of the system cite political intervention in KBS's governance as reason for revising the current system of recruiting.

In order to uphold and defend independence, KBS, since 2018, created a 'Public Advisory Group', as part of the selection process of new KBS President and CEO. Each President and CEO of KBS is recommended by the KBS Board of Governors. The Group examines Presidential candidates via a presentation, a panel discussion, and an interview. Each is ultimately appointed by the President.

Around 49% of KBS's revenue comes from a mandatory [[Television licence|television licence fee]] of 2,500 [[South Korean won|won]], on top of 18.7% from commercial advertisement sales.<ref name="2019 Korean Broadcasting System Annual Report">{{cite web|title="2019 Korean Broadcasting System Annual Report|url=http://padmin.static.kbs.co.kr/nbroad/2020/7/14/1594687923052_nbroad.pdf|access-date=24 July 2020|archive-date=3 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803104033/http://padmin.static.kbs.co.kr/nbroad/2020/7/14/1594687923052_nbroad.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

In addition to 18 regional stations and 12 overseas branches, eight subsidiary companies such as KBSN, KBS Business and KBS Media manage KBS content.

== CEOs ==
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 100%; text-align:center;"
|-
|-
! Generation !! Name !! Start !! Retirement !! Note
|-
! 1
|rowspan="2"| Hong Kyung-mo
|rowspan="2"| February 1973
|rowspan="2"| February 1979 
|rowspan="14" {{N/A}}
|-
! 2
|-
! 3
| {{ill|Choi Se-kyung|ko|최세경}}
| February 1979
| July 1980
|-
! 4
|rowspan="2"| Lee Won-hong
|rowspan="2"| July 1980
|rowspan="2"| February 1985
|-
! 5
|-
! 6
| Park Hyun-tae
| February 1985
| August 1986
|-
! 7
| Jung Koo-ho
| August 1986
| November 1988
|-
! 8
| {{ill|Seo Young-hoon|ko|서영훈}}
| November 1988
| March 1990
|-
! 9
| {{ill|Seo Ki-won|ko|서기원 (1930년)}}
| April 1990
| March 1993
|-
! 10
|rowspan="2"| {{ill|Hong Doo-pyo|ko|홍두표}}
|rowspan="2"| March 1993
|rowspan="2"| April 1998
|-
! 11
|-
! 12
|rowspan="2"| {{ill|Park Kwon-sang|ko|박권상}}
|rowspan="2"| 20 April 1998
|rowspan="2"| 10 March 2003
|-
! 13
|-
! 14
| Seo Dong-koo
| 22 March 2003
| 2 April 2003
|-
! 15
|rowspan="3"| {{ill|Jung Yeon-joo (born 1946)|lt=Jung Yeon-joo|ko|정연주 (1946년)}}
|rowspan="3"| 28 April 2003
|rowspan="3"| 11 August 2008
|rowspan="3"| Dismissed
|-
! 16
|-
! 17
|-
! 18
| {{ill|Lee Byung-soon|ko|이병순}}
| 28 August 2008
| 23 November 2009
|rowspan="2" {{N/A}}
|-
! 19
| {{ill|Kim In-kyoo|ko|김인규 (1950년)}}
| 24 November 2009
| 23 November 2012
|-
! 20
| {{ill|Kil Hwan-young|ko|길환영}}
| 23 November 2012
| 10 June 2014
| Dismissed after strike<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-06-05 |title=길환영, 첫 내부 승진 사장 해임… KBS사태 35일 |url=https://www.hankyung.com/article/201406050518g |access-date=2025-05-08 |website=한국경제 |language=ko}}</ref>
|-
! 21
| {{ill|Jo Dae-hyun|ko|조대현 (언론인)}}
| 28 July 2014
| 23 November 2015
| {{N/A}}
|-
! 22
| {{ill|Ko Dae-young|ko|고대영}}
| 24 November 2015
| 23 January 2018
| Dismissed after strike<ref>{{Cite web |last=기자 |first=이대희 |date=2018-01-22 |title=고대영 KBS 사장 해임 |url=https://www.pressian.com/pages/articles/183511#google_vignette |access-date=2025-05-08 |website=www.pressian.com |language=ko}}</ref>
|-
! 23
|rowspan="2"| [[Yang Seung-dong]]
| 9 April 2018
| 23 November 2018
|rowspan="2" {{N/A}}
|-
! 24
| 24 November 2018
| 9 December 2021
|-
! 25
| {{ill|Kim Eui-chul|ko|김의철}}
| 10 December 2021
| 12 September 2023
| Dismissed<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://m-en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230912004752315 |title=(2nd LD) KBS board dismisses CEO Kim EUI-chul |date=12 September 2023 |access-date=15 September 2023 |archive-date=17 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230917141326/https://m-en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230912004752315 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
! 26
| {{ill|Park Min (journalist)|ko|박민 (1963년)}}
| 12 November 2023
| 9 December 2024
|<ref>{{cite web | url=https://world.kbs.co.kr/service/news_view.htm?lang=e&Seq_Code=181714 | title=Yoon Approves Appointment of Park Min as New KBS President | access-date=18 November 2023 | archive-date=18 November 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231118121558/https://world.kbs.co.kr/service/news_view.htm?lang=e&Seq_Code=181714 | url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
! 27
| {{ill|Park Jang-beom|ko|박장범}}
| 10 December 2024
| ''present''
|<ref>{{cite news |title=Park Jang-beom Inaugurated as the 27th President and CEO of KBS |url=https://about.kbs.co.kr/eng/index.html?source=openkbs&sname=lastest&stype=magazine&contents_id=2170|date=10 December 2024 |access-date=19 December 2024 |work=KBS}}</ref>
|-
|}

== Channels ==

=== Terrestrial television ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Name
!Logo
!Description
|-
|'''[[KBS1]]'''
|[[File:KBS_1_logo.svg|right|160x160px]]
|The flagship channel of KBS. It broadcasts news and current affairs, education, drama, sports, children's programming and culture. It launched in 1961 as HLKA-TV and is solely funded by the license fee, airing commercial-free. It is available nationally on channel 9, broadcasting via [[Digital Terrestrial Television|digital terrestrial television]]. KBS1 also airs public information films and minor entertainment programming.<ref name="Channel Info">{{cite news |title=Channel Info |url=http://english.kbs.co.kr/about/channel-info_1tv.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140519131645/http://english.kbs.co.kr/about/channel-info_1tv.html |archive-date=19 May 2014 |access-date=4 April 2014 |newspaper=KBS English}}</ref>
|-
|'''[[KBS2]]'''
|[[File:KBS_2_logo.svg|right|160x160px]]
|The entertainment channel of KBS. It was launched in 1980 as a replacement for the [[Tongyang Broadcasting Company]], which was [[Policy for Merger and Abolition of the Press|forced by the government]] to merge into KBS. KBS2 is available on digital channel 7 via digital terrestrial television. KBS2 also airs live sports coverage, children's programming, public information films and limited amounts of news, current affairs and drama programming.<ref name="Channel Info" />
|-
|'''[[KBS News 24]]'''
|[[File:KBS 24 logo.svg|right|160x160px]]
|The news channel of KBS. It was launched in 2010 as a [[webcast]] channel. It was available on digital channel 7 via digital terrestrial television from 2021 to 2023, returning to be a [[Free ad-supported streaming television|FAST]] channel after july 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |title=230905_차세대방송추진단_발표.pdf |url=https://speakerdeck.com/sunghojeon/230905-casedaebangsongcujindan-balpyo?slide=11 |access-date=2025-05-27 |website=Speaker Deck |language=en}}</ref>
|-
|'''KBS UHD'''
|
|The Ultra High-Definition channel, using the [[ATSC 3.0]] format. The channel airs music videos, plus re-runs of TV series and various programming.<ref>{{cite news |date=31 March 2014 |title=Broadcasting Tests Begin for Ultra High Definition |url=http://english.kbs.co.kr/about/Latest_at.html?No=8008325 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403151343/http://english.kbs.co.kr/about/Latest_at.html?No=8008325 |archive-date=3 April 2019 |access-date=2 April 2014 |newspaper=KBS English}}</ref>
|}

KBS1 and KBS2 switched to digital, phasing out analogue services on 31 December 2012. However, both channels reportedly continued to be unofficially broadcast in analogue via UHF, presumably near the [[DMZ]], albeit using the SECAM D/K standard.<ref>{{Citation|script-title=ko:대한민국에 아날로그 지상파 TV 방송이 남아 있다?? (대북 TV 방송 추정)| date=7 August 2021 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cALOowlR38E|language=en|access-date=12 November 2021|archive-date=12 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211112213554/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cALOowlR38E|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Cable and satellite television ===
* KBS Life – A culture and drama channel, it launched in 1995 as KBS Satellite 2. It was renamed KBS Korea in 2002, KBS Prime in 2006 and KBS N Life in 2015 before becoming KBS Life.
* KBS Drama – Formerly KBS Sky Drama, launched in 2002.
* KBS N Sports – Formerly KBS Sports/KBS Sky Sports, launched before the [[2002 FIFA World Cup]].
* KBS Joy – A comedy and quiz show channel, launched in 2006.
* KBS Kids – A children's channel, launched in 2012.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.abu.org.my/Latest_News-@-KBS_Launches_Childrens_Channel.aspx |title= KBS Launches Children's Channel |work= Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union |date= 29 May 2012 |access-date= 29 May 2012 |archive-date= 26 June 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190626211014/https://www.abu.org.my/Latest_News-@-KBS_Launches_Childrens_Channel.aspx |url-status= dead }}</ref>
* KBS Story – A channel aimed at a female audience, launched in 2013.<ref>{{cite news |title= Korea debuts cable channel dedicated to women |url= http://www.abu.org.my/Latest_News-@-Korea_debuts_cable_channel_dedicated_to_women.aspx |access-date= 25 January 2013 |newspaper= Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union |date= 25 January 2013 |archive-date= 27 March 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190327123227/https://www.abu.org.my/Latest_News-@-Korea_debuts_cable_channel_dedicated_to_women.aspx |url-status= dead }}</ref>

These channels are managed and operated by KBS N, a subsidiary of KBS. 100+ cable operators operate in the country while [[Skylife]] is the sole satellite television service provider.

=== KBS World ===
{{Main|KBS World}}
[[File:KBS_World_(2009).svg|150px|left]]
is the international television and radio service of KBS. It launched on 1 July 2003. It broadcasts on a 24-hour schedule with programs including news, sports, dramas, entertainment and children's shows. KBS World Television is broadcast locally and around the world. As of July 2007, around 65% of its programs are broadcast with English subtitles. It is available in 32 countries, and reportedly more than 40 million households around the world can access KBS World.{{Citation needed|date=February 2011}} It has two overseas subsidiaries: [[KBS America]] and [[KBS World (Japanese TV channel)|KBS Japan]]. KBS Japan is independently operated by a KBS subsidiary in Japan, and most programs are provided with Japanese subtitles.

KBS World Television mainly broadcasts programs commissioned for KBS's 2 terrestrial networks: [[KBS1]] and [[KBS2]]. KBS World Television is distributed over international communication and broadcasting satellites. Local cable and/or satellite operators receive the signal from one of these satellites and carry it to subscribers of their own networks. KBS does not allow individual viewers to receive the signal from most satellites. The signal from Badr 6 and Eutelsat Hotbird 13A is [[Free-to-Air]].

KBS World TV commenced its service via YouTube in 2007. Its subscriber count reached 10 million in May 2019 and 13.5 million in July 2020. KBS World TV is available on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LINE. Its social media handles surpassed 20 million subscribers in April 2020.

KBS Korea (previously KBS World 24), a spin-off channel of KBS World, is targeted at Koreans living overseas.

=== Radio ===
*[[KBS Radio 1]] (711&nbsp;kHz [[Amplitude modulation|AM]]/97.3&nbsp;MHz [[Frequency modulation|FM]] KBS Radio Seoul) – News, current affairs, drama, documentary, and culture. Launched in 1927 as Gyeongseong Broadcasting Corporation JODK, it became HLKA in 1947 and KBS Radio 1 in 1981.<ref name="english.kbs.co.kr">{{cite news|title=Channel Info|url=http://english.kbs.co.kr/about/channel-info_2radio.html|access-date=4 April 2014|newspaper=KBS English|archive-date=7 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407085737/http://english.kbs.co.kr/about/channel-info_2radio.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[KBS Radio 2]] (603&nbsp;kHz AM/106.1&nbsp;MHz FM KBS Happy FM) – Popular music. Launched in 1948 as HLSA.<ref name="english.kbs.co.kr"/>
*[[KBS Radio 3]] (1134&nbsp;kHz AM/104.9&nbsp;MHz FM KBS Voice of Love FM) – Launched in 1980 and ceased broadcasting in 1981. It was later replaced by KBS Radio 2's regional radio service and Educational FM (now [[Educational Broadcasting System|EBS FM]]). It was re-launched in 2000 as a spin-off from [[KBS Radio 2]]. For the first time in 2010, it was launched on [[Frequency modulation|FM]] and restructured as a radio station for the disabled.<ref name="english.kbs.co.kr"/>
* [[KBS 1FM]] (93.1&nbsp;MHz Classic FM) – Classical music and folk music. Launched in 1979 as KBS Stereo, adopted current name in 1980.<ref name="english.kbs.co.kr"/>
* [[KBS 2FM]] (89.1&nbsp;MHz/DMB CH 12B Cool FM) – Entertainment and news. Launched in 1966 as Radio Seoul Broadcasting (RSB), renamed TBC-FM in the 1970s and KBS Radio 4 in 1980 after TBC-FM forced merger to KBS. The current name was adopted in 2003.<ref name="english.kbs.co.kr"/>
* [[KBS Hanminjok Radio]] (literal meaning: KBS Korean Nationality Radio) (6.015&nbsp;MHz [[shortwave]] and 1170&nbsp;kHz [[mediumwave]]) – Launched in 1975 as KBS Third Programme.<ref name="english.kbs.co.kr"/>
* [[KBS World Radio]] – The South Korean international radio service, funded directly by the government.<ref name="english.kbs.co.kr"/>

== Logo history ==
<gallery>
File:KBS logo (1961-1973).svg|First KBS logo (from 15 October 1961 until 2 March 1973)
File:KBS logo (1973-1984).svg|Second KBS logo (from 2 March 1973 until 28 October 1984)
File:KBS (1983) (unused).svg|Unused KBS logo (1983)
File:Korean Broadcasting System-text only.svg|Third and current KBS text logo (from 29 October 1984 to present)
File:KBS logo (1984-1985).svg|1984-1985 logo
File:KBS logo (1985-2001).svg|1985-2001 logo
File:KBS logo (2001).svg|2001 logo
File:KBS logo 2023.svg|Unused Fourth KBS logo (2023)
</gallery>

== Programmes ==
{{further|List of programmes broadcast by the Korean Broadcasting System}}

== Foreign partners ==
{{unreferenced section|date=April 2020}}

=== Americas ===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Country
!Public television
|-
|Argentina
|[[Televisión Pública Argentina|Radio y Televisión Argentina]]
|-
|Bolivia
|[[Bolivia TV]]
|-
|Brazil
|[[Empresa Brasil de Comunicação]]
|-
|Canada
|[[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation]]
|-
|Chile
|[[Televisión Nacional de Chile]]
|-
|Colombia
|[[RTVC Sistema de Medios Públicos]]
|-
|Costa Rica
|[[Canal 13 (Costa Rica)|Trece Costa Rica Televisión]]
|-
|Cuba
|[[Cuban Institute of Radio and Television]]
|-
|Dominican Republic
|[[Corporación Estatal de Radio y Televisión]]
|-
|Ecuador
|[[Ecuador TV|Medios Públicos EP]]
|-
|El Salvador
|[[TVES (El Salvador)]]
|-
|Honduras
|[[Televisión Nacional de Honduras]]
|-
|Mexico
|[[Sistema Público de Radiodifusión del Estado Mexicano]]
|-
|Nicaragua
|[[Sistema Nacional de Televisión (Nicaragua)|Sistema Nacional de Televisión]]
|-
|Paraguay
|[[Paraguay TV]]
|-
|Peru
|[[TV Perú|Instituto Nacional de Radio y Televisión del Perú]]
|-
|United States
|[[American Broadcasting Company]], [[PBS]]
|-
|Uruguay
|[[Televisión Nacional Uruguay]] and TV Ciudad
|-
|Venezuela
|[[Bolivarian Communication and Information System]]
|}

=== Europe ===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Country
!Public television
|-
|Belgium
|[[Vlaamse Radio- en Televisieomroeporganisatie]]
|-
|Finland
|[[Yle]]
|-
|France
|[[France Televisions]]
|-
|Germany
|[[ARD (broadcaster)|ARD]]
|-
|Italy
|[[RAI|Radiotelevisione Italiana]]
|-
|Netherlands
|[[Nederlandse Publieke Omroep (organization)|Nederlandse Publieke Omroep]]
|-
|Norway
|[[NRK|Norsk Rikskringkasting]]
|-
|Poland
|[[Telewizja Polska]]
|-
|Portugal
|[[Rádio e Televisão de Portugal]]
|-
|Russia
|[[All-Russia State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company|VGTRK]]
|-
|Spain
|[[Televisión Española]]
|-
|Sweden
|[[Sveriges Television]]
|-
|Turkey
|[[Turkish Radio and Television Corporation]]
|-
|Ukraine
|[[Public Broadcasting Company of Ukraine|Suspilne Movlennia]]
|-
|United Kingdom
|[[BBC]]
|}

=== Asia ===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Country
!Public television
|-
|Cambodia
|[[National Television of Kampuchea]]
|-
|China
|[[China Central Television]]
|-
|Hong Kong
|[[RTHK]]
|-
|India
|[[Doordarshan]]
|-
|Indonesia
|[[Radio Republik Indonesia|RRI]] and [[Televisi Republik Indonesia|TVRI]]
|-
|Japan
|[[NHK|Nippon Hōsō Kyōkai]]
|-
|Malaysia
|[[Radio Televisyen Malaysia]]
|-
|Mongolia
|[[Mongolian National Broadcaster]]
|-
|Philippines
|[[Presidential Communications Group|Presidential Communications Office]]
|-
|Thailand
|[[Thai PBS]]
|-
|Taiwan
|[[Public Television Service]]
|-
|Vietnam
|[[Vietnam Television|VTV]]
|}

=== Oceania ===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Country
!Public television
|-
|Australia
|[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]], [[Special Broadcasting Service]]
|-
|New Zealand
|[[Television New Zealand]]
|}

==Operational status==
===Headquarters===
KBS carried out organizational reform on 1 March 2019 to strengthen KBS capabilities of content creation; enhance digital work flow; and improve audience services. KBS created Content Production 2 Division that is responsible for production, marketing, as well as content businesses. The new division aims to bring outstanding dramas and entertainment programming by boosting creative nature of the production function, and minimizing its decision-making process.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://open.kbs.co.kr/eng/index.html?sname=organization&stype=management|title=About KBS - Organization Structure|access-date=24 July 2020|archive-date=3 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803035530/http://open.kbs.co.kr/eng/index.html?sname=organization&stype=management|url-status=live}}</ref>

The strategy introduced Public Service Media Strategy team under Strategy and Planning Division. Public Service Media Strategy is mainly responsible for developing KBS's digital programs via assorted digital media platforms. The reform brought changes in Programming Division as Digital Media department expanded its roles. Digital News department attached to News and Sports Division strengthened its functions. Another significant change is that the 'Audience Relations Center' has become an executive department, operated directly by KBS President and CEO. The Audience Relations Center dedicates its resources to enhance audience services, and create participation opportunities for audiences. Local Stations Management was reorganized to be supervised under KBS Executive Vice President, in response to a growing demand for greater regional autonomy.

==Criticism==
In 2001, 90% of the foreign feature films shown on the two terrestrial KBS networks were American in origin, which, according to the statistics released by KOBACO and shared by [[screen quota]] organization Quota Yeondae, harmed KBS's image as the national public broadcaster.<ref>{{cite news |title=지난해 스크린쿼터.방송쿼터 모두 준수 |url=https://www.mk.co.kr/news/all/2706167 |work=Maeil Business Daily |language=ko}}</ref>

During the [[sinking of MV Sewol]] in 2014, KBS was heavily criticized for having a pro-government stance in the aftermath of the incident. While other outlets such as SBS were seen as anti-government, no Korean media outlet was seen as "neutral".<ref>{{cite news |title=韓国　中立TV局がないためインテリはNHKの英語ニュース見る |url=https://www.news-postseven.com/archives/20140529_258055.html?DETAIL |work=News Post Seven |language=ja}}</ref>

==See also==
{{portal|South Korea|Television}}
* [[Educational Broadcasting System]]
* [[KBS World Radio]]
* [[KBS America]]
* [[All TV K|KBS World Canada]]
* [[KBS Symphony Orchestra]]
* [[KBS Hall]]
* [[Television in South Korea]]
* [[Korean Central Broadcasting Committee]] (equivalent in [[Democratic People's Republic of Korea|North Korea]])

== References ==
{{reflist|refs=Group Protests Lee SooN Shin Drama}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}

* [https://www.kbs.co.kr/ KBS.co.kr] – official KBS Website {{in lang|ko}}
* [https://world.kbs.co.kr/service/index.htm World.KBS.co.kr] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191117194111/http://kbsworld.kbs.co.kr/index_en.php |date=17 November 2019 }} – official KBS World website {{in lang|ko|ar|de|es|fr|id|zh|ja|vi|ru}}
*[https://www.kbs-america.com/ KBS America]

{{Korean Broadcasting System}}
{{South Korea television networks}}
{{KBS Entertainment Shows}}
{{programs}}
{{European Broadcasting Union Members}}
{{Authority control}}
{{coord|37|31|28|N|126|55|1|E|type:landmark|display=title}}

[[Category:Korean Broadcasting System| ]]
[[Category:Mass media companies of South Korea]]
[[Category:Korean-language television stations]]
[[Category:Publicly funded broadcasters]]
[[Category:Television networks in South Korea]]
[[Category:Mass media companies established in 1927]]
[[Category:Radio stations established in 1927]]
[[Category:Television channels and stations established in 1961]]
[[Category:1927 establishments in Korea]]
[[Category:Yeouido]]
[[Category:Companies of Korea under Japanese rule]]
[[Category:YouTube channels launched in 2011]]