The Broadcasting Media Communications Commission has approved a 7-year license renewal for satellite broadcaster KT Skylife.
During its 15th plenary meeting on June 5, the commission reviewed the renewal application for KT Skylife, whose previous license expired last year, and decided to grant a new license valid for 7 years.
This review marks the first license renewal assessment for a pay-TV operator since the commission's establishment. The evaluation was conducted in accordance with the detailed plan for pay-TV operator license renewals and offshore retransmission approvals, which was adopted in April.
The review committee, chaired by Commissioner Ko Min-soo, consisted of nine experts in broadcasting and media, law, management, economics, accounting, technology, and viewer interests.
KT Skylife received a score of 697.52 out of 1,000, surpassing the renewal threshold of 650 points. Consequently, the commission approved the 7-year license renewal.
The commission noted that it expanded the quantitative evaluation criteria to enhance objectivity and transparency. It particularly focused on measuring performance against business plans and previous renewal periods to strengthen consistency and predictability in evaluation standards.
The conditions for renewal were significantly simplified. While the previous renewal included 20 conditions and five recommendations, the new approval imposes only five core conditions.
However, to ensure the public responsibilities of satellite broadcasting, the following five conditions were mandated: submission and approval of an investment plan for sustainability, a plan to provide one-way satellite broadcasting services to over 50% of subscribers, and enhancements to the independence and expertise of the board of directors.
Commissioner Kim Jong-cheol stated, "We will rationally improve and operate related systems to harmonize the competitiveness and public nature of the pay-TV industry. I urge KT Skylife, as the sole national satellite broadcaster, to fulfill its role in addressing poor reception and preparing services for unification."
In response to the decision, KT Skylife expressed that the approval secures a stable foundation for its satellite broadcasting operations for the next seven years, stating, "We will continue to fulfill our public responsibilities as a satellite broadcaster and strive to enhance viewer rights and develop the media ecosystem."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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