[News] Dong-A Media Group moves into broadcast sector.

[News] Dong-A Media Group moves into broadcast sector.
Cr. - http://www.donga.com/

The Dong-A Ilbo has been designated as an operator of four new general cable TV broadcasters set for launch in next year's second half.

The Korea Communications Commission in a general meeting Friday approved four operators from six bidders that applied for a business license for general cable TV broadcast stations. The four are Channel A, whose majority stakeholder is Dong-A, JTBC (JoongAng Media Network), CS TV (The Chosun Ilbo) and Maeil Business TV (Maeil Business Newspaper).

The commission also selected Yonhap News TV (Yonhap News Agency) as a specialized news broadcaster out of five companies that applied for a news broadcast license.

The review to select the operators of the general and news broadcasters was conducted Dec. 23 to Friday. Those selected earned 800 points or higher of the possible 1,000 points according to the principle of absolute ratings.

A general TV broadcaster is a cable channel that comprehensively airs a diversity of programs, including news and dramas, just like terrestrial broadcasters. Korea has selected such broadcasters for the first time.

A news channel must have more than 80 percent of its programs devoted to news and information shows.

The operators of the general broadcasters are expected to start broadcasting from next year's second half. Their launch will likely spawn a major shift in the media industry structure that has been dominated by terrestrial broadcasters.

Channel A said it plans to continuously develop content and service that proactively utilize fusion technology of broadcasting and communications, and thus spearhead the digital media industry.

Dong-A also seeks to emerge as a global media enterprise through alliances in content with the world's leading media organizations, including the BBC and Disney's Comcast of the U.S.