Cable television operators are facing challenges in securing revenue, prompting calls for a focus on public service and sustainability to enhance competitiveness.
On September 10, a seminar titled 'Policy Paradigm Shift for Overcoming the Crisis and Ensuring Sustainability of Cable TV' was held at the 2026 Gwangju ACE Fair, organized by the Korean Association for Journalism and Communication Studies.
The cable TV market is currently experiencing a downturn. Since 2013, all business performance metrics have consistently declined, with operating profits dropping by 51.8% in 2023 and 76.5% in 2024. By the end of 2025, the number of subscribers is expected to fall to approximately 11.94 million, with market share decreasing to 33%. While losses in the broadcasting sector are being offset by other business areas, forecasts indicate that this approach may soon reach its limits. The seminar aimed to assess the current state of cable TV and discuss potential improvements.
Lee Jong-kwan, a senior expert at the law firm Sejong, stated, "The cable TV industry has entered a decline phase after maturing," and warned that if the current situation is neglected, operators could face severe challenges within a few years due to declining revenues and increasing costs.
He pointed out that the policies and regulations governing the cable TV industry, which are still aligned with an expansion phase, are inadequate for addressing the current crisis. He emphasized the need for government support and regulatory relief to facilitate recovery.
Lee highlighted the essential role of cable TV in achieving a media-centric society, noting its accessibility and the fact that one-third of the population subscribes to it. He argued that cable TV policies should pivot towards sustainability and locality.
Proposed solutions included establishing a (tentative) Broadcasting Expert Committee to set and adjust standards for subscription fees and content pricing, providing universal broadcasting welfare support for 8VSB, and reducing contributions to the Broadcasting and Communications Development Fund to enhance locality.
Yang Han-yeol, director of the Open Media Policy Research Institute, also participated as a panelist, stating, "In times of disaster, cable TV can provide real-time information about local conditions," and suggested that instead of focusing solely on price competition with OTT and IPTV, developing models that are closer to local communities could offer differentiated services.
Opinions regarding the Broadcasting and Communications Development Fund were also discussed. Kim Yong-hee, a professor at Sun Moon University, emphasized the need to objectively assess whether operators can afford to contribute to the fund, suggesting that reducing this burden could create opportunities for new investments and service innovations.
However, Ahn Young-min, head of the Broadcasting Media Division at the Korea Broadcasting and Communications Agency, stressed the importance of 'policy visibility.' He noted that a bill to establish a Broadcasting and Communications Development Agency has passed, and urged careful consideration of how this organization will be structured and whether government funding will be provided.
He added, "We need to ensure that we can persuade the government based on these plans."
Meanwhile, the 2026 Gwangju ACE Fair, where the seminar took place, is a comprehensive exhibition of cultural content, marking its 21st year. Under the theme 'One Content, Infinite Expansion,' this year's exhibition features a variety of cultural content, including broadcasting, video, animation, characters, games, and webtoons. It attracts participation from over 400 companies from 29 countries, with more than 250 domestic and international buyers engaging in exchanges.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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